BawoJf  {£= 


BANCROFT    LIBRARY 


DEPARTMENT     OF    COMMERCE 

BUREAU  OF  FOREIGN  AND  DOMESTIC  COMMERCE 


SPECIAL  AGENTS  SERIES— No.  208 


BOLIVIA 

A  COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK 


BY 

W.  L.  SCHURZ 

Trade  Commissioner 


PRICE,  65  CENTS 

Sold  by  the  Superintendent  of  Documents,  Government  Printing  Office 
Washington,  D.  C. 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1921 


r  3  3 1  a 


H5H 

|,BCroft  Library 

fcrtv»r»iry  of  California 

WITHDRAWN 


CONTENTS. 


Letter  of  submittal H 

Introduction 13 

Geography 13 

Topography 

Mountains 14 

Rivers  and  lakes 15 

Climate I7 

Eastern  plains 18 

Intermediate  region ' 19 

High  plateau 20 

Health  conditions 22 

Effect  of  high  altitude 22 

Medical  and  surgical  service  available 23 

Mortality  statistics 23 

Malarial  fevers 24 

Amazon  region — Department  of  Santa  Cruz 24 

Population  and  living  conditions 25 

Census  statistics 25 

White  element  in  population 2G 

"Cholos,"  of  mixed  white  and  Indian  blood 27 

Indians 27 

Aymaras 28 

Quechuas 29 

Minor  tribes 30 

Negroes 30 

Foreign  population 30 

Government 31 

Executive  branch 32 

Legislative  and  judicial  authority 32 

Administrative  divisions 33 

Political  parties 34 

Diplomatic  relations 35 

National  army 35 

Education  and  intellectual  life 35 

Public-school  system ■ 36 

Primary  instruction 37 

Secondary  instruction 38 

Private  schools  maintained  by  religious  organizations 38 

Vocational  training 38 

Universities 39 

General  literary  activity 40 

Newspaper  press 40 

Re  ligion >■ 41 

3 


•4  CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Cities  and  towns 42 

La  Paz 42 

situation  and  plan 42 

Architecture  and  building 43 

Water  supply  and  Bewage 44 

Electric  light  and  power 45 

Street  railways 45 

Telephones 45 

Police 45 

Fire  protection 46 

Markets 46 

Banks 47 

Hotels  and  clubs 47 

Theaters  and  other  amusements 47 

Cost  of  living 48 

Cochabamba 48 

Oruro 50 

Sucre 50 

Potosi ^l 51 


N, 


Santa  Cruz -V  -  - &2 

Tari  j  a 17 52 

Uyuni 53 

Other  towns 53 

Transportation  and  communications 55 

External  trade  routes 55 

Railways ^ 58 

Historical  survey 58 

Problems  of  railway  construction 59 

List  of  railways 60 

Lines  of  A  ntofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway  Co 61 

Arica-La  Paz  Railway 69 

Guaqui-La  Paz  Railway 71 

Tarejra-(  'orocoro  Railway ?:"> 

Machacamarca-Uncia  Railway 74 

tJyuni-Huanchaca  line 74 

Cochabamba-Vinto  and  Cochabamba-Arani  lines 7-1 

Railways  under  construction 76 

Y/ungae  Railway 76 

Atocha-La  Quiaca 79 

Potosi-Sucre S2 

Projected  railways BS 

Cochabamba-Santa  Cruz 83 

<  lochabamba-El  Beni 85 

Santa  I  Iruz-Paraguay  River S5 

Santa  <  fruz-Argentina 86 

Guayaramerin-Riberalta S6 

La  Quiaca-Tarija 87 

Roads 87 

<  'onditions  of  mad  building 87 

Roads  of  Depart i ne, it  of  La  1'az 89 

Roads  of  I  department  of  <  truro 90 

Roads  of  Department  of  <  lochabamba 91 


CONTENTS.  0 

Transportation  and  communications — Continued. 

Roads — Continued.  Page. 

Roads  of  Department  of  Potosi 91 

Roads  of  Department  of  Chuquisaca 93 

Roads  between  the  plateau  and  the  plains  country 93 

Local  roads  of  eastern  Bolivia 95 

Lake  and  river  navigation 98 

Telegraphs 100 

Mining 102 

Introductory  survey 102 

Factors  affecting  the  mining  industry 102 

Transportation 102 

Labor 103 

Fuel  and  power 104 

Smelting 104 

Duties 105 

Mining  law 107 

Tin 108 

Silver HI 

Copper - 112 

Lead : H3 

Antimony 114 

Tungsten H5 

Bismuth HO 

Zinc H7 

Molybdenum 117 

Gold H8 

Other  minerals 119 

Mining  districts  and  principal  interests 120 

Araca 120 

Aramayo-Francke 121 

Berenguela. 122 

Caracoles 122 

Colquechaca 123 

Colquiri 123 

Corocoro 124 

Huanchaca 125 

Huanuni 127 

Llallagua 128 

Monte  Blanco 130 

Morocacala 130 

Oploca 130 

Oruro 131 

Pazna 133 

Porco 134 

Potosi 134 

Sur  Yungas 136 

Uncia 136 

Other  companies 137 

Petroleum ■ 138 

Developments  carried  out 138 

Location  of  oil  fields 139 


6  CONTENTS. 

Petroleum — Continued.  Page. 

Bolivian  laws  regarding  petroleum  lands 140 

Law  of  December  12,  1916 140 

Law  of  February  6,  1920 HO 

Law  of  February  24,  1920 140 

Interests  in  field 141 

American 141 

Richmond  Levering  &  Co 141 

Argentines-Bolivian    Exploration    &    Development   Co.,    Buenos 

Aires 141 

Sinclair  &  Co 142 

British 142 

J.  Backus 142 

Anglo-South  American  Oil  Fields  (Ltd. ) 142 

Chilean 142 

Transportation  problems 143 

Stock  raising 144 

Introduction:  Live-stock  statistics 144 

Cattle 145 

Plateau  region 145 

Region  of  (  ochabamba 145 

Sucre  district 146 

Bolivian  Amazonia 146 

Department  of  Santa  Cruz  and  region  to  south 148 

Exports  and  imports 148 

Sheep  and  other  wool-bearing  animals 149 

Sheep 149 

Llamas 149 

A  lpacas 150 

Wool  trade I :,,) 

Hogs 152 

Goats L52 

Burros,  mules,  and  horses 152 

Fur-bearing  animals 152 

Agriculture 1 54 

General  condition  of  the  industry 154 

Agriculture  on  the  ' '  altiplano  " 155 

Department  of  Cocbabamba 156 

Classes  of  lands— Areas  cultivated  and  income  derived 156 

Need  for  extension  of  irrigation 157 

Raising  of  corn — Manufacture  of  ''chicha'' 158 

Wheal  production — Possibilities  of  flour-milling  industry L58 

Large  acreage  of  barley — » tther  products 159 

Pruil  '.tow  ing 159 

Primi              cultural  met  hoc  is 160 

Prospective  market  for  simple  agricultural  machinery 160 

Eaime  worked  by  Indian  tenants 161 

Marketing  of  Earm  products 161 

Region  of  Sucre "'I 

Agriculture  Ld  the  Yungas ">2 

Estate  of  Sindicato  de  Bolivia 162 

<  'ultivati f  coca  plant 163 

■«•  production  and  trade "'4 

Cacao  cultivation— Other  products 165 


CONTENTS.  < 

Agriculture— Continued.  p"«?; 

Agricultural  possibilities  in  eastern  Bolivia ib0 

Crops  grown— Principal  districts  developed 166 

Region  of  Santa  Cruz 166 

Forest  industries 

Woods 

Rubber 

Producing  districts 

Kinds  obtained— Location  of  trees 17° 

Laws  regarding  rubber  lands 

•  171 

Principal  companies 

Methods  of  exploitation—' '  Herringbone  system  " 172 

Scarcity  of  labor  supply Y[^ 

Improvement  in  condition  of  rubber  gatherers 173 

Competition  of  plantation  rubber I'4 

■  1 7^ 

Comparative  prices x< " 

Export  duties  dependent  on  rubber  quotations 175 

Classification  of  rubber 

Exports  from  1S90  to  1919 176 

Relation  of  rubber  to  other  exports 177 

United  States  chief  country  of  destination 177 

Production  by  districts 

Quinine  bark 

,i.      *  ■                                                                                                      180 

Manufactures 

Alcohol ™ 

Beers  and  wines 

F^ur lg 

Candies  and  chocolate x<~ 

S^r Jj* 

Matches 

Leather  goods  and  tanning ^4 

Boots  and  shoes 

Kails J 

Cigarettes 

Woolens "  ?>' 

188 
Labor  conditions 

Colonization,  immigration,  and  lands 1* 

Fundamental  legislation— Zones  set  aside  for  colonization 190 

Small  benefit  to  State— Suspension  of  original  law 191 

Establishment  of  three  national  Territories i92 

Law  governing  immigration 19 

Relatively  small  number  of  immigrants I93 

Trade f5 

The  Bolivian  market x™ 

Business  interests 

Character  of  stores  and  business  buildings 

Buying  methods Jjjjj 

Traveling  salesmen 

Commission  houses 

Territory  tributary  to  principal  centers 204 

La  Paz 204 

Oruro 204 

205 
Cochabamba 

Potosi 20C 


8  CONTENTS. 

Trade — Continued. 

Territory  tributary  to  principal  centers — Continued.  Page. 

Sucre 206 

El  Beni 207 

Santa  Cruz 208 

Ivuni 209 

Tarija 209 

Trade-marks 209 

Shipping  directions 211 

Packing 211 

Routing 212 

Shipping  documents 214 

<  i  insular  invoices 214 

Financing  of  trade 216 

Price  quotations 216 

Credit  terms 217 

Deliveries  and  collections 218 

Import  tariff 220 

Statistics  of  foreign  trade 220 

Total  foreign  trade  for  period  1909-1919 221 

Exports  by  classes  of  goods 221 

Exports  by  Departments 223 

Exports  by  countries  of  destination 224 

Imports  by  classes  of  goods 226 

Imports  by  Departments 226 

Imports  by  customhouses 227 

I  mports  by  countries  of  origin 228 

Principal  lines  of  goods  imported 230 

Hardware 231 1 

<  '<  instruction  materials 230 

Mining  machinery 231 

Electrical  goods 231 

Motor  vehicles 232 

Foodstuffs  and  groceries 232 

Textiles 233 

Ready-made  wearing  apparel 234 

Boots  and  shoes 235 

Drugs  and  chemical.- 236 

Paper  and  stationery '-'■'" 

Furniture 238 

.leu  dry 238 

( (ther  classes  of  goods 239 


Investments. 


240 


Bolivian 240 

American 241 

British -" 

French - ' ' 

German -" 

Chilean 242 

Banking  and  money 243 

Banking  law 243 

Banks  operating  in  Bolivia i 243 

Banco  de  la  Naci6n  Boliviana 243 

Banco  National  de  Bolivia 245 


CONTENTS.  9 

Banking  and  money — Continued. 

Banks  operating  in  Bolivia — Continued.  Page. 

Banco  Mercantil 246 

Banco  Aleman  Transatlantic 246 

Credito  Hipotecario  de  Bolivia 246 

Banco  Hipotecario  Nacional 247 

Banco  Garantizador  de  Valores 247 

Private  banks 247 

Monetary  system 247 

Exchange 248 

Public  finance 250 

National  finances 250 

Budget 250 

National  debt - 252 

Departmental  finances 254 

Municipal  finances 255 

Appendix:  Travel  notes 256 

Routes  from  United  States  to  Bolivia 256 

Via  west  coast -  -  256 

Via  east  coast 257 

Accommodations  for  travelers  in  principal  cities 259 

La  Paz 259 

Oruro 259 

Cochabamba 259 

Potosi 260 

Sucre 260 

Santa  Cruz 260 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Fig.    1.  General  view  of  La  Paz facing. .  1 

2.  Aymara  Indian  type,  La  Paz facing. .  28 

3.  "Chola"  type,  La  Paz facing..  28 

4.  Alpacas  in  the  Carangas  district facing. .  29 

5.  Llama  train  near  La  Paz facing. .  29 

6.  Office  building  in  La  Paz facing. .  44 

7.  Type  of  new  buildings  in  La  Paz facing. .  45 

8.  Street  in  Sucre facing. .  45 

9.  Pack  train  on  mountain  road facing. .  88 

10.  Valley  road  below  La  Paz facing. .  89 

11.  Mines  of  Pulacayo facing. .  126 

12.  Concentrating  mill  for  tin  ores  at  Huanuni facing. .  126 

13.  The  Cerro  of  Potosi facing. .  127 

14.  Copper  mines  of  Corocoro facing. .  127 

15.  Primitive  machine  for  crushing  sugar  cane facing. .  156 

16.  Thrashing  peas  in  the  Cochabaniba  region facing. .  156 

17.  Coca  terraces  in  the  Yungas,  before  harvest facing. .  157 

18.  Coca  terraces,  after  harvest facing. .  157 

19.  Graphic  representation  of  Bolivian  trade  with  United  States 225 

20.  Shop  front  in  Potosi facing. .  242 

21.  Corner  of  market  in  Oruro facing. .  242 

22.  Banco  de  la  Nacion  Boliviana  in  Oruro facing. .  243 

23.  Banco  Mercantil  in  La  Paz facing. .  243 

Map  of  Bolivia facing. .  260 


LETTER  OF  SUBMITTAL. 


Department  of  Commerce, 
Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce, 

Washington,  May  10,  1921. 
Sir:  There  is  submitted  herewith  a  commercial  and  industrial 
handbook  of  Bolivia,  by  W.  L.  Schurz,  a  trade  commissioner  of  this 
Bureau  (now  commercial  attache  at  Rio  de  Janeiro) ,  who  is  also  the 
author  of  the  handbook  of  Paraguay,  which  was  published  as  Special 
Agents  Series  No.  199.  Similar  handbooks  of  Colombia  and  of 
Venezuela,  prepared  by  another  representative  of  the  Bureau,  will 
soon  come  from  the  press. 

Mr.  Schurz  made  a  comprehensive  personal  investigation  of  the 
economic  activities  in  Bolivia  and  the  conditions  governing  the  com- 
mercial life  of  the  Republic.  The  results  of  his  studies,  embodied  in 
this  handbook,  will,  it  is  felt,  be  of  substantial  benefit  to  Americans 
who  desire  to  sell  in  the  Bolivian  markets  or  to  participate  in  the 
development  of  the  country's  great  natural  resources. 

Mr.  Schurz  wishes  to  express  his  thanks  to  the  following  persons,  who 
aided  him  in  the  course  of  his  investigations  of  conditions  in  Bolivia: 
S.  Abbott  Maginnis,  American  Minister;  W.  Duval  Brown,  American 
consul;  Nelson  R.  Park,  American  vice  consul;  Bautista  Saavedra, 
President  of  the  Republic;  Jos6  Gutierrez  Guerra,  former  President 
of  the  Republic;  Carlos  Gutierrez,  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs;  Julio 
Zamora,  Minister  of  Finance;  Ernesto  Careaga  Lanza,  Minister  of 
Government;  Cesar  Ochavez,  Minister  of  Public  Works  and  Industry; 
Gen.  Zenon  Cossio,  prefect  of  the  Department  of  Cochabamba; 
David  Ascarrunz,  prefect  of  the  Department  of  Oruro;  Nestor 
Velasco,  prefect  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz;  Moises  Ascarrunz, 
director  of  the  Bureau  of  Statistics;  Carlos  Tejada  Sorzano,  director 
general  of  the  National  Railways;  Jacob  Backus,  general  manager 
of  the  Bolivian  section  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway;  Angel 
Sandoval,  delegate  of  the  Territory  of  Oriente  and  now  justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court. 

Respectfully, 

C.  E.  Herring,, 

Acting  Director  of  Bureau. 

To  Hon.  Herbert  Hoover, 

Secretary  of  Commerce. 


11 


UNITS  OF  MEASURE  AND  VALUE  USED  IN  THIS  WORK. 


Measures. 

Unit. 

Equivalent. 

■Weight 

Kilo.. 

2. 2  pounds. 
.  45  kilo. 

Metric  ton 

2,205  pounds. 
101.  -11  pounds. 

.264  gallon. 
3.  7S3  liters. 

Volume,  liquid 

Spanish  quintal 

Gallon 

Length  of  distance. . . 

Foot 

.  :;nts  meter. 

.  02  mile. 

Mile 

Acre 

Square  league 

(1,875  hectares. 
<4,  632  acres. 

1  7. 2  square  miles. 

Value. 


Value  in  United 
Stales  gold. 


Boliviano I  |o.  3893 

Chilean  gold  peso .  3650 

Chilean  paper  peso (») 


1  The  exchange  rate  for  the  boliviano  has  varied  as  follows  during  1919  and  1920,  according  to  a  statement 
issued  by  the  United  States  Treasury  Department:  Apr.  1,  1919,  10.3785;  Oct.  1,  1919,  $0.33;  Jan.  1.  1930 
S0.3257;  April  1,  1920,  $0.3497,  Julv  i,  1920,  S0.33U;  Oct.  1,  1920,  $0.3175;  Jan.  1,  1921:  $0.2717;  April  1. 
1921,80.26. 

J  The  exchange  rate  for  the  Chilean  paper  peso  (inconvertible)  has  varied,  during  1919,  1920,  and  1921, 
between  $0.1375  and  $0.2075. 


12 


BOLIVIA:  A  COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

INTRODUCTION. 
GEOGRAPHY. 

Bolivia,  one  of  the  two  inland  countries  of  South  America,  is 
bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  Brazil,  on  the  south  by  Argentina 
and  Paraguay,  and  on  the  west  by  Peru  and  Chile.  The  Republic 
formerly  had  an  outlet  to  the  sea  through  the  Department  of  Ata- 
cama,  but  lost  its  Pacific  littoral,  including  the  port  of  Antofagasta, 
in  the  war  with  Chile  in  1879. 

Though  no  accurate  survey  of  the  extent  of  the  country  has  been 
made  or  can  be  made  until  its  boundaries  are  defined,  its  area  has 
been  estimated  at  from  473,560  to  704,195  square  miles.  The 
National  Bureau  of  Statistics  puts  the  area  of  the  Republic  at  514,464 
square  miles,  though  this  is  very  probably  in  excess  of  the  true  figure. 
Its  area  is  approximately  that  of  the  neighboring  Republic  of  Peru 
and  about  twice  the  size  of  the  State  of  Texas. 

The  Republic  is  divided  into  eight  Departments  and  three  national 
Territories.  These  divisions,  with  their  respective  areas,  are  as 
follows : 


Divisions. 


Location. 


Area. 


Square 
kilometers. 


Square 
miles. 


Departments: 

La  Paz 

Oruro 

Cochabamba. 

Potosi 

Chuquisaca.. 

Tarija 

Santa  Cruz. . 

El  Beni 

Territories: 

Colooias 

Oriente 

Chaco 


Northwest . . . 
West-central . 

Central 

Southwest . . . 

Southeast 

South 

East 

North 


Northwest . 

East 

Southeast . 


105,400 
53,518 
85,514 

116, 663 

94,  125 
81, 779 
301,422 
247, 033 

72, 381 
74,341 
120,626 


Total 1,332,808 


40,686 
20,657 
25,288 
45, 031 
36. 342 
31,567 
116,344 
95,354 

27, 939 
28,695 
46, 561 


514,464 


As  the  ownership  of  the  entire  extent  of  the  Gran  Chaco  is  in 
dispute  with  Paraguay,  figures  as  to  the  area  of  the  Bolivian  section 
must  still  be  considered  as  purely  arbitrary  estimates. 

The  north-and-south  distance  from  Manoa,  at  the  junction  of  the 

Abuna  and  Madeira,  to  Yacuiba,  on  the  Argentine  border,  is  about 

930  miles.     From  Charana,  where  the  railway  from  Arica  to  La  Paz 

crosses  the  frontier,  east  by  Cochabamba  and  Santa  Cruz  to  Puerto 

Suarez,  on  the  Paraguay  River,  the  distance  is  about  1,120  miles. 

From  Guaqui,  on  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Titicaca,  southeast 

over  the  length  of  the  Bolivian  plateau  to  the  Argentine  railhead 

at  La  Ouiaca  is  about  560  miles. 

13 


14  BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

Because  of  the  circumstance  that  the  predominant  industry  of 
the  Republic  has  always  been  mining  and  that  this  mineral  develop- 
ment is  naturally  concentrated  on  the  plateau,  Bolivia  is  popularly 
believed  to  be  a  prevailingly  mountainous  country-  However, 
although  the  principal  centers  of  population  and  the  economic 
center  of  gravity  of  the  Republic  are  located  on  the  plateau,  more 
than  two-thirds  of  its  area  lies  to  the  east  of  the  mountains  in  the 
great  plains  that  stretch  south  with  few  breaks  from  the  Acre  and  the 
Abuna  and  merge  into  the  disputed  "llanuras"  of  the  Chaco.  In 
fact,  the  surface  of  Bolivia  can  oe  roughly  divided  into  three  general 
regions — (1)  the  mountain,  or  Andean;  (2)  the  intermediary,  or 
"montaiia;"  and  (3)  the  plains,  or  Amazonia-Chaco. 

MOUNTAINS. 

There  are  three  quite  clearly  definable  ranges  of  the  Andes  in 
Bolivia.  The  first  and  most  westerly  of  these  is  the  Cordillera 
Occidental,  whose  greatest  heights  lie  across  the  border  in  Chile, 
but  whose  eastern  slopes  and  outposts  lie  within  the  confines  of  Bo- 
livia. The  loftiest  peak  of  the  Western  Cordillera  lying  within 
Bolivia  is  Sajama,  with  an  altitude  of  21,526  feet.  Most  of  the 
mountain  area  lies  among  the  Cordillera  Real,  or  main  range  of 
the  Andes,  which  enters  Bolivia  by  the  Province  of  Munecas  to  the 
north  of  Lake  Titicaca  and  extends  in  a  slightly  southeasterly  direc- 
tion to  the  Argentine  border.  The  highest  part  of  the  Royal  Cor- 
dillera lies  within  the  Department  of  La  Paz,  where  the  traveler 
approaching  the  capital  from  Viacha  sees  before  him  a  vast  wall  of 
snowcapped  mountains,  with  several  lofty  peaks  towering  above  the 
general  level  of  the  plateau.  The  loftiest  of  the  Bolivian  peaks  are 
Illimani  and  Illampu.  Illimani,  which  is  clearly  visible  from  La 
Paz,  is  estimated  to  De  about  22,572  feet  high.  Illampu  towers  above 
the  town  of  Sorata,  to  the  northeast  of  Lake  Titicaca,  at  a  height  of 
about  23,900  feet  above  the  sea.  Other  notable  peaks  are:  Chacha- 
comani,  21,428  feet;  Torani,  21,320;  Parinacocha,  20,529;  Quim- 
sachata,  19,909;  and  Huayna  Potosi,  19,680. 

Though  the  Cordillera  Real  is  at  its  highest  in  the  Department  of 
La  Paz,  it  extends  across  the  Departments  of  Oruro  and  Potosi,  and 
its  more  easterly  ranges  cover  the  western  part  of  the  Departments 
of  Cochabamba,  Chuquisaca,  and  Tarija.  Near  the  point  where  the 
three  Departments  of  La  Paz,  Oruro,  and  Cochabamba  meet,  another 
chain  of  the  Andes,  known  as  the  Cordillera  Oriental,  or  Eastern 
Cordillera,  branches  off  to  the  east  and  crosses  the  Department  of 
Cochabamba,  finally  descending  by  stages  into  the  plains  of  Santa 
Cruz.  The  highest  point  of  this  range  is  Mount  Tunari,  which  over- 
looks the  city  of  Cocnabamba  at  a  height  of  16,400  feet. 

Between  the  two  principal  ranges  of  the  Andes  lies  the  great 
Bolivian  "meseta"  or  table-land,  which  extends  from  Lake  Titicaca 
south  to  the  mountain  knot  of  Sur  Lipez.  For  the  greater  part  of 
its  length  it  is  traversed  by  the  main  line  of  the  railway  from  Anto- 
fagasta  to  La  Paz.  The  plateau  floor  is  about  450  miles  long,  with 
an  average  width  of  about  80  miles.  Its  average  height  above  lie 
is  about  12,465  feet,  ranking  it  with  the  Tibetan  plateau  among 
the  highest  inhabited  regions  of  the  globe.  Its  surface  is  not  uniform, 
though  t  here  are  large  extents  of  level  country,  as  in  the  Uyuni  plains 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

of  Nor  Lipez  and  in  the  Carangas  region  of  the  Department  of  Oruro, 
while  the  ''alto"  of  La  Paz  is  very  characteristic  of  the  table-land. 
Much  of  the  northern  part  of  the  "meseta"  is  broken  by  ranges  of 
hills  and  offshoots  of  either  one  or  the  other  of  the  main  cordilleras. 
Two  large  depressions  in  the  table-land  are  filled  by  the  lakes  of 
Poopo  and  Coipasa.  The  surface  of  the  plateau  is  treeless,  and  its 
general  aspect  is  bleak  and  desolate,  though  much  of  it  is  covered 
with  grass  and  with  a  low  scrub  growth  known  as  "  tola."  Consider- 
able areas  of  barley  are  also  grown  by  the  Indians  of  the  region. 

On  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Cordillera  Real  and  on  the  northern  side 
of  its  offshoot,  the  Cordillera  Oriental,  is  an  intermediary  district  of 
deep  valleys,  which  is  generally  known  in  South  America  as  the 
"  montana,"  but  in  Bolivia  is  called  the  Yungas.  The  Yungas  proper 
of  the  Departments  of  La  Paz  and  Cochabamba  is  a  region  of  heavy 
rainfall  and  semitropical  or  tropical  climate,  with  a  correspondingly 
luxuriant  vegetation.  Its  typical  products  are  coca,  coffee,  and 
oranges.  Southward  from  the  Province  of  Vallegrande,  in  the 
Department  of  Santa  Cruz,  the  character  of  the  country  lying  among 
the  eastern  ranges  and  foothills  of  the  Andes  changes  quite  radically. 
Temperatures  are  generally  lower  and  the  rainfall  is  much  less,  with 
the  result  that  the  vegetation  is  sparser.  Also,  the  descent  from  the 
"  paramo,"  or  higher  parts  of  the  Andes,  to  the  region  of  warm  valleys 
is  much  more  gradual  than  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz,  where  a 
traveler  who  crosses  the  divide  in  the  morning,  at  a  height  of  more 
than  15,000  feet,  may  be  down  among  the  orange  groves  by  nightfall. 

The  lowland  region  of  Bolivia  includes  the  Territory  of  Colonias, 
the  Department  of  El  Beni,  the  northern  half  of  Cochabamba,  nearly 
all  of  Santa  Cruz,  the  eastern  parts  of  Chuquisaca  and  Tarija,  and 
the  uncertain  extent  of  the  Bolivian  Chaco.  The  Chaco  is  a  vast 
plain  with  a  slight  fall  toward  the  southeast.  Most  of  it  consists  of 
open  prairie,  but  islets  of  palm  trees  are  scattered  at  frequent  intervals 
over  its  surface,  and  nearer  the  Paraguay  River  its  monotony  is 
broken  by  denser  forests  which  contain  the  famous  quebracho  tree. 
In  contrast  to  the  well-watered  Beni  region  about  the  Amazon  head- 
waters, the  Chaco  is  almost  riverless. 

The  Beni  region  consists  for  the  most  part  of  a  vast  forested  or 
"selva"  country,  with  some  wide  areas  of  open  lands,  as  in  the  Mojos 
plains  of  the  Mamore  basin.  This  district,  the  Bolivian  Amazonia, 
is  the  seat  of  the  rubber  industry  of  the  Republic.  Between  the 
Amazonian  and  Chaco  plains  lie  the  Chiquitos  highlands  of  the 
Department  of  Santa  Cruz,  whose  maximum  height  is  3,894  feet. 
To  the  west,  the  easternmost  outposts  of  the  Andes  reach  out  across 
the  Province  of  Vallegrande,  until  their  final  undulations  disappear 
a  short  distance  from  the  city  of  Santa  Cruz.  The  gap  between  the 
Vallegrande  and  the  Chiquitos  highlands  is  largely  occupied  by  the 
lowland  wilderness  of  the  Monte  Grande,  which  thus  connects  the 
plains  of  the  Beni  with  those  of  the  Chaco.  On  one  side  of  the  Monte 
Grande  flows  the  San  Miguel  and  on  the  other  the  Guapay  or  Grande — 
tributaries,  respectively,  of  the  Itenez  and  Mamore  systems. 

RIVERS  AND  LAKES. 

There  are  three  quite  independent  drainage  systems  in  Bolivia — 
the  Amazon,  the  Paraguay-Plata,  and  the  Lake  Titicaca-Desaguadero 
system  of  the  plateau. 


16  BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND  INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

Of  Amazonian  rivers,  the  Acre  and  the  Abuna  form  part  of  the 
northern  border  of  the  Territory  of  Colonias.  The  Acre  is  a  tributary 
of  the  Purus,  and  its  waters  reach  the  Amazon  through  Brazilian 
territory.  The  Abuna  empties  into  the  Madeira  at  Manoa,  opposite 
the  Porto  Murtinho  station  of  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway.  The 
Madeira,  the  Mamore,  and  the  Itenez  form  the  boundary  of  the 
Republic  from  the  mouth  of  the  Abuna  around  to  the  fourteenth 
parallel.  The  Beni  is  an  exclusively  Bolivian  river  and  drains  most 
of  the  Department  of  La  Paz  as  well  as  a  wide  area  of  lowland  country. 
Its  greater  tributary,  the  Madre  de  Dios,  drains  the  Territory  of 
Colonias.  The  Mamore  itself  reaches  south  into  the  very  heart  of 
the  Republic,  the  Azero,  of  this  system,  rising  in  the  latitude  of 
Potosi,  near  the  twentieth  parallel. 

The  following  chart  will  show  the  general  scheme  of  the  river 
systems  of  this  region;  the  principal  tributaries  of  each  stream  are 
indicated  by  indentions,  and  the  names  by  which  the  upper  courses 
of  some  of  the  rivers  are  known  appear  in  parentheses : 

Amazon. 
Acre. 
Madeira. 
Abuna. 

Rapirran. 
Beni. 

Orton. 

Tahuamanu. 
Manuripi. 
Madre  de  Dios  (Manu). 
Heath. 
Azul. 

Marcapata. 
Inambari. 
Madidi. 
Cochabamba. 
Bopi. 

Tamampaya. 
La  Paz. 
Miguilla. 
Kaka. 

Mapiri. 

Tipuani. 
Mamore. 
Yata. 
Itenez  (Guapore), 

Itonama  (San  Miguel). 

Machupo. 
Baures. 

Blanco. 
Paragua. 
Verde. 

Yacuina. 

Rapulo. 
Apere. 
Tijamuchi. 
D  Orbigny. 

Secure. 

lsiboro. 
Sara. 

I  trande. 

Pirai. 
Chapare. 
(  liiinore. 
Ichilo. 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

There  are  two  distinct  branches  of  the  Paraguay  River  system  in 
Bolivia.  One  of  these  drains  the  Chiquitos  region  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz.  The  other  consists  of  the 
Pilcomayo  and  the  Bermejo,  with  their  tributaries,  which  drain  the 
southern  part  of  the  Republic.  The  Pilcomayo  rises  to  the  north- 
west of  the  city  of  Potosi  and,  after  flowing  eastward  in  a  deep  gorge, 
which  is  crossed  by  the  road  from  Potosi  to  Sucre,  it  turns  to  the 
southeast.  It  then  continues  in  the  same  general  direction  for 
hundreds  of  miles  until  it  flows  into  the  Paraguay  a  few  miles  below 
Asuncion.  From  the  point  where  it  crosses  the  twenty-second 
parallel  of  latitude  to  its  mouth,  it  forms  the  boundary  between  the 
disputed  area  of  the  Chaco  and  the  Argentine  Republic.  For  this 
part  of  its  course  the  Pilcomayo  receives  no  tributaries  larger  than 
small  creeks,  and  for  a  long  distance  below  the  twenty-fourth  parallel 
it  is  lost  in  the  vast  morass  known  as  the  Esteros  de  Patino.  From 
this  region  of  reedy  swamps  it  again  issues  in  a  clearly  defined 
channel.  The  tendency  of  the  Pilcomayo  to  shift  its  course  has 
produced  at  least  one  boundary  dispute  between  Bolivia  and  Argen- 
tina. The  Bermejo  rises  to  the  south  of  the  city  of  Tarija  and  forms 
the  western  side  of  the  Bolivian  wedge  that  projects  south  into 
Argentine  territory,  while  the  Rio  Grande  de  Tarija,  its  tributary, 
forms  the  eastern  side  of  this  wedge.  After  leaving  Bolivian  terri- 
tory it  flows  southeast,  roughly  parallel  to  the  Pilcomayo,  until  it 
empties  into  the  Paraguay. 

The  hydrographic  system  consisting  of  the  lakes  of  Titicaca, 
Poopo,  and  Coipasa  and  the  Desaguadero  River  is  entirely  independ- 
ent of  both  of  the  other  drainage  systems  of  the  country.  Its  area 
extends  from  near  Sandia  in  Peru  to  a  place  west  of  the  city  of 
Potosi,  or  over  5  degrees  of  latitude.  Lake  Titicaca  lies  on  the 
border  between  Bolivia  and  Peru,  at  an  altitude  of  12,644  feet  above 
sea  level.  Its  total  area  is  about  5,187  square  miles,  and  its  greatest 
depth  nearly  900  feet.  Its  extreme  length  is  138  miles,  and  its 
greatest  math  is  69  miles.  It  is  surrounded  by  mountains  and 
contains  some  rugged  islands  famous  in  pre-Spanish  times.  The 
two  peninsulas  of  Huata  and  Copacabana  almost  meet  at  the  Strait 
of  Tiquina,  through  which  the  steamers  between  Puno  and  Guaqui 
are  compelled  to  pass.  The  Desaguadero  River  forms  the  outlet 
of  Lake  Titicaca  and  really  serves  as  a  canal  to  carry  its  waters  into 
Lake  Poopo,  which  lies  185  miles  to  the  southeast,  at  an  altitude 
505  feet  lower  than  Lake  Titicaca.  This  it  does  at  the  rate  of  over, 
5,900  cubic  meters  per  minute.  However,  the  fact  that  only  about 
56  cubic  meters  of  water  issue  from  Lake  Poopo  during  an  equal 
time  would  appear  to  show  that  this  lake  has  a  subterranean  outlet 
to  the  Pacific.  In  normal  seasons  Lake  Poopo  has  an  area  of  about 
386  square  miles,  but  during  the  rainy  season  it  may  overflow  a 
much  greater  extent  of  territory  to  the  north  and  west.  Lake 
Coipasa  lies  to  the  west  of  Poopo,  into  which  its  waters  flow  through 
the  Lacahuira.  It  is  a  shallow  body  of  water,  whose  limits  are 
variable  and  ill  defined. 

CLIMATE. 

In  view  of  the  great  differences  in  altitude  between  the  low  plains 
of  the  north  and  east  and  the  higher  regions  of  the  plateau,  it  is  only 
natural  that  there  should  be  a  corresponding  diversity  of  climates  in 

44462°— 21 2 


18  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL  AND   HTOIJSTBIAL    HANDBOOK. 

Bolivia.  The  extreme*  difference  in  height  above  sea  level  between 
Puerto  Suarez  on  the  one  hand  and  the  summit  of  Illampu  on  the 
other,  is  about  23,600  feet,  and  the  average  altitude  of  the  plateau 
is  nearly  12,000  feet  higher  than  the  average  level  of  the  eastern 
plains.  The  mean  average  temperature  of  the  Amazonian  region 
up  to  an  altitude  of  2,000  feet  is  about  74°  F.;  up  to  8,000  feet,  in 
the  intermediate  region,  it  is  about  63°;  and  on  the  "altiplano," 
between  11.000  and  14,000  feet,  it  is  about  50°.  The  difference  in 
latitude  between  the  northern  and  southern  extremities  of  the 
Republic  is  about  13°  30';  however,  altitude  is  a  much  more  import- 
ant determinant  of  local  climatic  conditions  than  is  latitude. 

The  customary  division  of  Mexico  by  climatic  belts  into  "  tierra 
ealient e,"  "tierra  templada,"  and  "tierra  fria,"  or  hot,  temperate, 
and  cold  regions,  could  also  be  applied  to  Bolivia. 

EASTERN  PLAINS. 

The  climate  of  the  eastern  plains  country,  to  an  altitude  of  nearly 
2,000  feet  in  the  Andean  foothills,  is  clearly  tropical,  However,  the 
climate  of  the  southern  portion  of  this  region — that  is,  to  the  south 
of  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz — is  one  with  very  marked  differ- 
ences between  summer  and  winter,  and  may  be  classed  as  rather 
subtropical  than  tropical.  While  the  summer  heat  is  excessive  in 
the  Tarija  and  Chaco  regions,  the  winter  nights  may  be  uncom- 
fortably cold.  This  is  also  an  area  of  much  less  rainfall  than  the 
Amazonian  region  to  the  north. 

In  the  latter  area  there  are  two  general  seasons  in  the  year,  as 
throughout  most  of  Bolivia.  Of  these  the  dry  season  coincides  with 
the  period  of  lowest  temperatures  and  lasts  from  about  June  to 
November,  while  the  rainy  season,  which  is  also  the  time  of  highest 
temperatures,  covers  the  months  from  December  to  May,  inclusive. 
During  the  dry  winter  season  the  weather  is  quite  agreeable,  the 
nights  being  generally  very  comfortable,  though  it  is  usually  hot 
during  the  day.  The  mean  annual  temperature  in  the  shade  at 
Trinidad  in  the  Beni  is  about  82°  F.,  and  even  on  summer  nights  the 
thermometer  may  register  as  low  as  66°  or  72°.  At  Villa  Bella, 
which  is  situated  at  the  confluence  of  the  Beni  and  the  Mamore  in 
about  latitude  10°  20'  S.,  the  average  temperature  throughout  the 
year  is  about  86°  F.  The  cooling  "surazos"  or  south  winds,  which 
Jblow  in  September  and  October,  often  cause  violent  variations  in 
temperature  within  a  short  time.  From  December  to  May  there  are 
almost  daily  Falls  of  rain.  These  torrential  and  continuous  rains 
cause  the  rivers  to  rise  and  flood  vast  areas  of  country,  which  remain 
inundated  for  months.  The  combination  of  heavy  rainfall  and  high 
humidity  with  the  tropical  temperatures  prevalent  for  most  of  the 
year  is  responsible  for  the  luxuriant  growth  of  vegetation  which 
covers  the  greater  part  of  this  region. 

The  climate  of  the  Santa  Crux  region  varies  from  subtropical  to 
tropical,  the  differenl  climatic  gradations  depending  on  the  diversi- 
ties of  altitude  and  latitude  and  on  the  relative  predominance  of 
Idi-cst  or  open  country  in  certain  localities.  There  is  little  rainfall 
between  July  and  November,  but  there  are  heavv  rains  from  Novem- 
ber to  March,  and  rain  may  also  fall  in  May  and  June.     The  rainfall 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

is  heavier  in  the  low-lying  Provinces  of  Cercado,  Sara,  Nufio  de 
Chavez,  and  Velasco  than  in  those  of  Vallegrande  and  Cordillera 
and  in  most  of  Chiquitos,  though  there  are  occasional  torrential 
rains  in  the  outlying  ranges  of  the  Andes  and  in  the  hill  country  of 
Chiquitos.  In  some  years  there  is  a  dearth  of  rain  in  Cordillera, 
especially  in  the  parts  bordering  the  Chaco,  though  there  is  generally 
a  supply  of  subsurface  water  that  could  be  reached  with  artesian 
wells.  The  average  yearly  temperature  in  the  shade  at  Santa  Cruz 
is  about  77°  F.  In  June  and  July  the  thermometer  may  fall  to  43° 
in  the  early  morning,  though  the  winter  temperatures  usually  vary 
between  52°  and  72°  F.  During  the  summer  the  temperature 
varies  from  77°  to  95°  and  may  even  rise  to  99°  or  100°  F. 

INTERMEDIATE  REGION. 

The  climate  of  the  intermediate  region  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
Andes,  between  about  3,000  and  9,000  feet  above  sea  level,  varies 
from  subtropical  to  temperate.  The  Yungas  proper,  as  well  as  the 
higher  country  in  which  Cochabamba  and  Sucre  lie,  is  included  within 
this  zone.  The  town  of  Sorata,  lying  near  Lake  Titicaca  at  an  alti- 
tude of  about  8,888  feet,  has  a  mild  climate  which  should  make  it  a 
favorite  resort  for  the  people  of  La  Paz.  The  climate  of  the  Yungas 
is  warm  and  in  the  lower  altitudes  is  even  quite  hot.  The  dry  and 
wet  seasons  are  generally  very  closely  marked  off,  the  months  of 
heaviest  rainfall  being  from  December  to  March  or  April.  Little  or 
no  rain  falls  during  the  so-called  winter  season,  which  extends  from 
June  into  September.  The  rainfall,  which  is  produced  by  the  moisture- 
laden  winds  from  the  Amazon  Basin  coming  into  contact  with  the 
mountains,  varies  directly  with  the  altitude.  At  Chulumani,  which  is 
situated  at  an  altitude  of  about  3,500  feet,  the  annual  fall  is  about  40 
inches.  At  the  Neque  Jahuira  camp  of  the  Yungas  Railway,  which 
lies  at  an  altitude  oi  6,790  feet,  the  rainfall  for  the  first  three  months 
of  1920  amounted  to  1,600  millimeters,  or  about  53  inches.  The 
temperature  at  Chulumani  varies  from  64°  to  88°  F.,  but  the  winter 
mornings  at  the  level  of  Neque  Jahuira  may  be  quite  chilly.  At  the 
Rinconada  camp  of  the  railway,  which  is  located  at  13,760  feet,  the 
thermometer  falls  to  several  degrees  below  the  freezing  point,  heavy 
falls  of  snow  are  frequent,  and  the  weather  is  inclement  throughout 
the  year.  On  the  descent  into  the  Yungas  of  La  Paz  from  the  divide 
at  15,3.00  feet,  the  first  trees  are  seen  at  Pongo,  at  an  altitude  of  8,900 
feet,  and  the  first  orange  trees  are  encountered  at  Chaco,  at  6,225 
feet. 

The  mean  annual  temperature  of  the  city  of  Cochabamba,  which 
lies  at  an  altitude  of  8,435  feet,  is  about  66Jr°  F.  There  are  no  un- 
pleasant extremes  of  either  heat  or  cold,  and  the  climate  is  agreeable 
throughout  the  year.  The  warmest  days  occur  in  January  and  the 
coolest  in  July.  The  proportion  of  sunny  days  in  the  year  is  much 
greater  than  that  of  cloudy  days. 

The  climate  of  Sucre,  at  an  altitude  of  9,338  feet,  is  exceptionally 
mild  and  pleasant  throughout  the  year.  The  average  annual  tem- 
perature is  about  61°  F.  In  November  and  December  the  ther- 
mometer may  reach  70°  or  even  77°  or  82°,  and  in  June  may  fall 
to  45°.     The  total  annual  rainfall  usually  amounts  to  23  to  25  inches, 


20 


BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 


nearly  all  of  this  falling  between  December  and  April,  inclusive. 
During  the  winter  months  the  atmosphere  in  the  region  of  Sucre  is 
remarkable  for  its  dryness. 


HIGH  PLATEAU. 


The  climate  of  the  high  plateau,  while  prevailingly  cold,  is  not  uni- 
formly so.  The  difference  between  day  and  night  temperatures  is 
great,  sometimes  amounting  to  50°  F.  or  more.  While  it  may  be 
quite  hot  in  the  sunshine  of  midday,  there  is  usually  a  rapid  fall  in 
temperature  after  sunset,  The  nights  are  nearly  always  cold,  save 
when  the  clouding  of  the  sky  prevents  the  radiation  of  the  heat 
accumulated  during  the  day.  However,  during  the  winter  season  it 
is  a  dry  cold,  which  does  not  cause  the  discomfort  of  the  more  pene- 
trating cold  of  the  nights  of  the  summer  or  rainy  season,  when  the 
humidity  is  always  high.  On  the  table-land,  temperatures  never  fall 
so  low  as  during  the  winter  in  the  northern  part  of  the  United  States. 
As  a  result  of  peculiar  local  conditions,  the  climate  varies  considerably 
on  the  "altiplano"  between  places  at  the  same  general  altitude— as, 
for  example,  between  La  Paz  and  Uyuni. 

According  to  the  Jesuit  Observatory  of  San  Calixto  in  La  Paz,  the 
weather  conditions  prevailing  in  La  Paz  during  1919  were  as  shown 
in  the  following  table: 


Temperature. 

Rainfall. 

Prevailing 

Months. 

Average. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Number 

of  days. 

Quantity. 

direction  of 
wind. 

°F. 
52.0 
53.2 
48.2 
51.6 
49.6 
45.0 
4-5.0 
45.5 
50.2 
50.2 
51.3 
50.4 

°F. 

71.6 
72.9 
68.5 
72.9 
72.1 
67.3 
68.9 
69.4 
73.6 
71.6 
73.8 
70.2 

°F. 

39.0 
38.5 
40.6 
37.9 
33.4 
28.4 
31.6 
28.6 
32.0 
35.6 
39.2 
39.2 

16 

15 

22 

13 

1 

4 

6 

3 

6 

12 

20 

24 

Inches. 

1.4 

2.2 

4.4 

1.2 

.1 

.  1 

.7 

.1 

.3 

2.2 

5.4 

6.3 

Southeast. 

Do. 

Do. 

West. 

Do. 

Do. 

Julv                                  

Do. 

Do. 

North) 

Southeast. 

Northeast. 

Southeast. 

in.  :i 

24.4 

The  temperatures  given  above  were  registered  in  the  shade.  The 
maximum  temperature  in  the  sun  is  usually  from  37°  to  42°  F.  higher 
than  in  the  shade.  In  such  places  as  Potosi  the  difference  between 
the  temperatures  in  the  sun  and  in  the  shade  is  even  greater. 

The  daily  range  of  temperature  lor  a  given  month  is  illustrated  by 
the  report  "of  the  Jesuit  Observatory  for  March,  1920.  as  follows: 


INTRODUCTION. 


21 


Mini- 
mum. 

Maximum. 

Average. 

Pays. 

Shade. 

Sun. 

°  F. 
43.7 
43.9 
43.0 
43.9 
41.9 
43.0 
43.7 
44.6 
43.0 
44.2 
43.3 
44.2 
46.0 
45.3 
43.7 
43.0 
44.2 
45.3 
43.7 
43.3 
42.1 
40.1 
39.6 
40.1 
41.9 
41.7 
43.0 
41.9 
43.2 
41.7 
41.0 

°  F. 
62.6 
66.7 
63.3 
59.0 
64.6 
59.9 
60.6 
60.4 
63.1 
67.6 
64.8 
68.9 
71.4 
67.1 
63.1 
65.5 
61.7 
68.7 
60.8 
57.0 
54.5 
54.9 
50.0 
54.5 
56.1 
55.9 
61.0 
60.8 
63.5 
66.6 
62.8 

°  F. 
71.2 
77.2 
70.7 
70.7 
74.7 
71.4 
69.8 
70.2 
70.7 
75.0 
72.1 
77.5 
77.5 
74.3 
73.9 
73.2 
68.2 
77.4 
69.4 
65.3 
65.1 
57.9 
52.9 
61.0 
63.1 
66.7 
70.5 
71.6 
71.4 
74.1 
73.4 

°  F. 
48.7 

52.0 

50.0 

48.0 

50.4 

48.6 

48.7 

49.6 

48.7 

52.0 

50.4 

54.9 

54.3 

51.4 

49.8 

51.4 

50.0 

51.3 

48.2 

47.1 

46.0 

43.9 

44.1 

44.2 

46.0 

46.6 

47.3 

48.6 

49.3 

51.8 

49.6 

The  dry  season  in  La  Paz,  as  throughout  Bolivia,  coincides  with 
the  winter  or  time  of  shortest  days  and  lowest  temperatures.  It 
begins  in  May  and  continues  through  August,  though  the  weather 
usually  begins  to  grow  warmer  in  August.  Though  not  unknown, 
rains  are  uncommon  during  the  winter,  and  the  days  are  generally 
sunny  and  comfortably  warm,  except  when  high  winds  blow,  as  they 
sometimes  do  in  August  and  September.  However,  the  nights  are 
quite  cold,  and  warm  wraps  are  necessary  after  sunset  even  when 
one  sits  within  doors,  except  in  the  few  houses  that  are  artificially 
heated.  It  seldom  snows,  and  only  on  exceptional  nights  does  water 
freeze  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  city.  Yet  the  "  alto,"  a  thousand  feet 
above,  may  be  covered  with  a  night's  fall  of  snow  until  well  into  the 
day.  Flowers  bloom  in  profusion  in  the  gardens  of  La  Paz  through- 
out the  winter.  Lying  as  it  does  in  a  great  basin  of  the  plateau, 
La  Paz  is  protected  against  the  worst  rigors  of  the  climate  of  the 
"altiplano,"  especially  against  the  high,  piercing  winds  that  sweep 
across  the  exposed  "pampa"  of  the  table-land. 

The  spring  begins  in  September  and  lasts  into  November  or  early 
December.  The  rains  become  increasingly  frequent  toward  the 
beginning  of  the  summer,  or  true  rainy  season,  and  are  at  their  height 
in  December.  However,  the  rainy  season  is  well  under  way  by 
November,  and  in  some  years  before  the  end  of  October.  It 
slackens  in  April,  and  May  is  often  a  rainless  month.  The  summer 
rains  are  often  in  the  nature  of  tropical  showers  and  are  usually  fol- 
lowed by  a  rapid  clearing  of  the  sky.  Sometimes  they  are  accom- 
panied by  violent  thunderstorms.  In  May  the  short  Bolivian  autumn 
is  a,t  its  height,  and  for  those  who  can  endure  the  chilly  nights  it  is 


22  BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

one  of  the  most  pleasant  months  of  the  year.  For  the  foreigner  May 
and  June  are  probably  the  hest  months  of  the  year  for  visiting  Bo- 
livia, and  especially  for  traveling  about  the  interior. 

Oruro,  which  lies  at  an  altitude  of  over  12,000  feet,  is  situated  on 
the  edge  of  a  barren  plain,  where  it  is  exposed  to  the  strong  winds 
that  often  blow  across  the  plateau,  raising  blinding  dust  storms  in 
the  city's  streets.  During  the  rainy  season  Oruro  presents  an  espe- 
cially bleak  and  desolate1  appearance,  and  at  this  time  of  the  year  its 
climate  is  particularly  forbidding.  However,  during  the  sunny  days 
that  prevail  from  May  to  September  the  weather  in  Oruro  is  quite 
agreeable,  though  the  nights  are  always  very  sharp.  The  average 
annual  temperature  in  Oruro  is  about  50°  F. 

Largely  because  of  its  greater  altitude — more  than  14,000  feet 
above  sea  level — Potosi  suffers  from  a  more  rigorous  climate  than 
any  of  the  larger  cities  of  the  "altiplano."  Not  only  is  the  climate 
uncomfortably  cold  at  nearly  all  seasons  of  the  year,  but  a  disagree- 
able rawrness  in  the  air  often  adds  to  the  discomfort  of  those  who 
live  in  the  city.  The  mean  annual  temperature  of  Potosi  is  about 
47°  F.  The  thermometer  seldom  rises  above  60°  F.  in  the  shade 
and  may  fall  to  8°  below  zero. 

rjyuni,  a  small  but  important  railway  and  trading  center  of 
southern  Bolivia,  has  one  of  the  coldest  climates  in  all  South  America, 
though  its  altitude  is  only  11,972  feet.  This  is  the  result  of  its 
unprotected  location  on  a  wide  plain  and  the  presence,  to  the  north- 
west of  the  town,  of  extensive  salt  marshes.  These  "salares" 
serve  as  a  freezing  mixture  to  lower  the  temperature  of  the  winds 
that  blow  across  them  and  over  the  town.  In  midwinter  the  tem- 
perature may  fall  far  below  zero. 

HEALTH  CONDITIONS. 

With  all  its  diversity  of  climates  there  are  few  positively  unhealth- 
ful  districts  in  Bolivia.  The  lack  of  modern  water  and  sewage 
systems,  and  the  insanitary  habits  of  the  majority  of  the  population, 
largely  account  for  the  high  mortality  rates  of  some  of  the  plateau 
cities.  By  nature  the  climate  of  this  region  is  not  unfavorable  to 
human  life.  The  air  is  pure  and  for  most  of  the  year  is  very  dry. 
Those  who  take  reasonable  precautions  against  exposure  to  the 
abrupt  changes  of  temperature  have  little  to  fear  from  the  climate 
of  the  "altiplano."  However,  a  severe  cold  may  quickly  develop 
into  pneumonia,  which,  in  view  of  the  rarefied  atmosphere  of  these 
altitudes,  is  highly  dangerous.  Foreigners  who  show  the  first  symp- 
toms of  pneumonia  are  usually  hurried  at  once  to  Ariea  or  Arequipa. 

EFFECT  OF  HIGH  ALTITUDE. 

The  complaint  known  as  "soroche"  or  mountain  sickness,  which 
affects  some  travelers  on  the  way  into  Bolivia,  is  not  dangerous, 
though  very  uncomfortable.  It  is  caused  by  the  sudden  transition 
into  a  high  altitude,  where  there  is  less  oxygen  in  the  atmosphere, 
ami  is  accompanied  by  nausea  and  severe  headaches.  Sufferers  from 
it    sometimes  find   relief  by   drinking  a   brew  made   from  COCa    leaves. 

However,  most  of  those  who  visit  Bolivia  never  have  "soroche"  at 

all,  or,  at  most,  have  it  in  a  \eiy  mild  form.  Those  who  enter  t  lie 
country  by  the  easy  ascent   from  either  Mollenijo  or  Antol'agast a  aro 


INTRODUCTION.  23 

less  liable  to  be  attacked  by  "soroche"  than  are  those  who  make 
the  rapid  climb  from  the  coast  at  Arica. 

Though  persons  with  weak  hearts  are  generally  warned  against  the 
high  altitudes  of  the  Andean  plateau,  the  danger  from  this  source 
has  probably  been  greatly  exaggerated.  However,  the  heart  beat 
increases  abnormally  in  these  regions,  and,  for  some  time  after  one 
arrives,  even  such  physical  effort  as  walking  is  attended  with  fatigue 
and  shortness  of  breath.  Those  who  suffer  from  heart  trouble  are 
advised  to  abstain  from  excessive  exertion,  but  persons  with  a 
normal  heart  are  able  to  play  tennis  and  dance  and  indulge  in  similar 
forms  of  exercise  after  a  short  stay  in  the  country. 

The  effect  of  the  high  altitude  on  the  nerves  of  all  but  the  most 
phlegmatic  is  very  marked.  Nerves  tend  to  be  more  "high  strung" 
and  may  finally  suffer  from  a  continuous  state  of  tension.  This  is 
especially  true  in  the  large  mining  camps.  These  are  usually  situated 
above  the  general  level  of  the  plateau  and  contain  few  means  of 
diversion,  so  that  those  who  live  there  sometimes  find  it  advisable 
to  make  a  trip  to  the  coast  for  a  period  of  relaxation.  On  the  other 
hand,  those  who  have  resided  for  a  considerable  time  on  the  plateau 
often  experience  a  feeling  of  drowsiness  or  even  general  derangement 
for  a  time  after  returning  to  sea  level  until  their  system  is  readjusted 
to  the  heavier  atmosphere  of  the  lower  altitude. 

MEDICAL  AND  SURGICAL  SERVICE  AVADLABLE. 

Persons  visiting  Bolivia  should  be  inoculated  against  both  smallpox 
and  typhoid.  There  are  competent  foreign-trained  physicians  in 
La  Paz,  and  an  American  hospital  is  now  being  installed.  Americans 
in  need  of  surgical  attention  sometimes  go  to  the  great  mining  camp 
of  Cnuquicamata  in  Chile,  where  there  are  a  skilled  American  surgeon 
and  a  modern  hospital  with  trained  American  nurses.  The  mining 
companies  operating  in  Bolivia  maintain  their  own  medical  staffs 
and  hospitals.  Well-equipped  drug  stores  are  to  be  found  in  all 
Bolivian  cities.  The  National  Government  maintains  a  National 
Institute  of  Bacteriology,  which  has  lately  done  excellent  work  in 
inoculating  the  population  against  smallpox  and  typhoid.  Medical 
attention  is  supplied  gratis  to  the  poor  in  the  larger  cities  by  the 
"Asistencia  Publica." 

MORTALITY  STATISTICS. 

The  annual  death  rate  in  La  Paz  is  higher  than  in  most  South 
American  capitals.  In  1911,  528  persons  died  of  typhoid  fever  in 
La  Paz,  and  the  annual  deaths  from  this  source  for  the  four  follow- 
ing years  were  from  30  to  52.  Forty-eight  died  from  the  same 
cause  in  1919.  Deaths  from  smallpox  in  La  Paz  for  the  five  years 
191 1-1 915  were  as  follows:  1911,120;  1912,174;  1913,96;  1914,  274; 
1915,  159.  Smallpox  caused  84  deaths  in  1919.  There  were  151 
deaths  from  influenza  in  La  Paz  in  1919,  3S  from  pulmonary  tuber- 
culosis, 30  from  other  forms  of  tuberculosis,  and  60  from  typhus. 

The  health  conditions  of  the  city  of  Coehabamba  have  been  notori- 
ously bad,  the  annual  death  rate  amounting  to  50  and  even  60 
per  1,000.  The  largest  number  of  deaths  result  from  various  in- 
fantile diseases  (such  as  intestinal  infection,  due  to  infected  milk) 
and  from  typhoid  fever,  smallpox,   and  pneumonia.     Deaths  from 


24  BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL   A  X  D   OSTDUSTBIAL   HANDBOOK. 

typhoid  in  190S  numbered  L37,  and  the  usual  death  rate  from  this 
disease  is  from  40  to  80.  In  Cochabamba  7N4  died  from  smallpox 
in  190G  and  275  in  1910,  but  there  were  only  3  deaths  from  the 
same  cause  in  L908  and  1913,  and  only  1  in  1909. 

A  comprehensive  program  of  sanitary  works  for  the  most  important 
cities  of  Bolivia  is  now  under  way.  Tnis  work  is  in  charge  of  a  large 
American  engineering  company,  which  has  contracts  under  con- 
sideration, or  actually  signed,  covering  La  Paz,  Cochabamba,  Oruro, 
Potosi,  and  Sucre. 

MALARIAL  FEVERS. 

Malarial  fevers  are  prevalent  in  many  of  the  Andean  valleys  and 
in  widely  scattered  districts  throughout  eastern  Bolivia.  Known  in 
different  localities  as  "paludismo,  '  or  swamp  fever,  as  "terciana," 
or  tertian  fever,  as  "chuchu,"  or  under  the  more  familiar  name  of 
malaria,  it  is  everywhere  the  same  disease,  with  the  same  cause  and 
the  same  lingering  results.  In  ill-drained  regions  where  mosquitoes 
flourish,  malaria  is  nearly  always  endemic.  It  is  common  in  some 
of  the  mountain  valleys  below  La  Paz  and  is  found  at  its  worst  in 
the  fine  valley  of  Mizque  between  Cochabamba  and  Sucre.  This 
fertile  district  formerly  enjoyed  considerable  prosperity  and  impor- 
tance, but  its  population  has  been  decimated  by  the  fever  or  has 
emigrated  to  more  healthful  regions,  and  its  industrial  importance 
has  greatly  declined.  However,  drainage  works  that  could  be 
easily  carried  out  would  extirpate  the  mosquito  and  his  work  and 
restore  the  valley  to  its  former  condition.  In  parts  of  the  Territory 
of  Colonias,  in  huge  areas  of  the  Beni,  in  eastern  Santa  Cruz 
(especially  in  some  of  the  Chiquitos  valleys),  and  in  the  Chaco, 
malarial  fevers  are  all  too  common.  Certain  centers,  such  as  Villa 
Bella  in  the  Beni,  San  Jose  in  Chiquitos,  Puerto  Suarez  on  the  eastern 
border,  and  Puerto  Montes  on  the  middle  Pilcomayo,  are  particularly 
subject  to  them.  However,  the  draining  off  of  standing  water  or 
the  clearing  of  swampy  woods  would  go  far  to  free  most  such  Localities 
of  this  plague  of  fever.  The  writer  recalls  an  experience  in  the 
Mizque  Valley,  where  he  asked  his  host,  who  bore  all  the  marks  of 
long-standing  "terciana,"  whether  there  were  much  malaria  about. 
"It  is  everywhere"  was  the  answer — and  to  the  rear  of  his  house 
were  two  open  pools  of  stagnant  water  from  which  swarms  of 
mosquitoes  were  rising. 

AMAZON  REGION— DEPARTMENT  OF  SANTA  CRLJZ. 

Though  the  Amazon  region  has  a  reputation  for  insalubrity,  much 
of  this  ill  fame  is  due  to  the  disregard  of  the  most  fundamental  rules 
of  tropical  hygiene  by  the  majority  of  those  who  live  in  thai  area. 
Those  who  observe  these  rules  can  live  there  for  years  without  serious 
detrimenl  to  their  health,  though  a  certain  amount  of  anaemia  is 
almost  inevitable.  The  most  common  complaint  here  is 
"paludismo,"  or  swamp  fever,  which  caused  such  ravages  among  the 
first  builders  of  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway.  However,  the  use  of 
quinine  and  mosquito  nets  and  care  in  the  drinking  of  water  are 
usually  sufficient  safeguards  against  malarial  attacks.  There  is  also 
considerable  beri-beri  and  dysentery  in  some  districts,  and  hook- 
worm  is   prevalent    in   parts.     Tuberculosis  is  common  among   the 


INTRODUCTION.  25 

rubber  workers,  and  in  1914  there  was  a  plague  of  smallpox  in  the 
Beni  district.  Malnutrition,  exposure,  intemperate  living,  and 
failure  to  use  the  necessary  precautions  against  mosquitoes  are  the 
principal  causes  of  sickness  in  the  Amazonian  lowlands.  The 
drainage  of  swamps  in  the  vicinity  of  the  settlements  would  do  much 
to  improve  health  conditions,  as  the  large  bodies  of  stagnant  water, 
which  remain  after  the  rainy  season  and  the  return  of  the  rivers  to 
their  beds,  are  fruitful  sources  of  malarial  fevers.  Some  towns  are 
much  more  favorably  situated  in  this  regard  than  others,  Villa 
Bella,  for  example,  being  much  more  unhealthful  than  Riberalta, 
which  lies  on  high  ground  above  the  flood  level  of  the  Beni.  The 
Madeira-Mamore  Railway  maintains  a  well-equipped  hospital, 
manned  by  American  doctors,  at  Candelaria,  near  Porto  Velho. 

The  climate  in  most  parts  of  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz  is 
notably  healthful,  though  the  habits  of  most  of  the  natives  are 
extremely  insanitary.  Malaria  has  been  prevalent  in  certain 
localities  and  there  have  been  occasional  outbreaks  of  dysentery 
and  smallpox,  but,  in  general,  health  conditions  compare  very 
favorably  with  those  of  any  part  of  South  America.  Some  districts, 
as  about  Santiago  de  Chiquitos  in  the  Territory  of  Oriente,  have  an 
almost  ideal  climate. 

POPULATION  AND  LIVING  CONDITIONS. 

CENSUS  STATISTICS. 

According  to  the  last  census,  taken  in  1900,  the  population  of 
Bolivia  was  1,781,666.  Previous  censuses  gave  the  following  results: 
1831,  1,088,768;  1835,  1,060,777;  1845,  1,378,896;  1854,  2,326,126; 
1882,  1,172,156.  The  course  of  fluctuations  in  the  population  as 
illustrated  by  these  figures  can  only  be  explained  by  their  utter  lack 
of  accuracy.  A  truly  scientific  census  has  never  been  taken.  More- 
over, the  wide  dispersion  of  much  of  the  Indian  population  and  the 
notorious  hostility  of  the  Indians  to  census  takers  make  the  com- 
puting of  their  numbers  extremely  difficult.  An  attempt  is  to  be 
made  at  a  more  accurate  census  on  modern  lines  in  1920-21,  but  the 
published  results  can  scarcely  be  expected  before  1923.  In  the 
opinion  of  the  writer,  the  present  population  of  the  Republic  is  pro- 
bably close  to  2,000,000. 

The  vast  majority  t)f  the  population  lives  on  the  plateau,  where 
the  mining  industry  is  concentrated.  The  population  by  Depart- 
ments and  Provinces  in  1900  was  as  follows  (Provinces  are  indented 
under  Departments) : 


La  Paz  » 397,643 

City  and  suburbs 54,  7 13 

Cercado 20,  610 

Pacajes 72, 120 

Munecas 38,  987 

Sur  Yungas 15, 021 

Nor  Yungas 12,  211 

Sicasica 26, 130 

Caupolican 14,  ]  08 

Larecaja 21,  319 

Loaiza 15,  809 

Inquisivi 21,  050 

Omasuyos 85,  559 


Oruro 86,  081 

Cercado 37,595 

Paria 29,  675 

Carangas 18,  811 

Cochabamba 326, 153 

Cercado 36,  222  . 

Tapacari 50,  924 

Punata 48,  880 

Tarata 48,  085 

Arque 34,236 

Ayopava 29,  781 

Chapare 24,  875 

Totora 22.  829 


1  Additions,  in  revised  figures,  brought  the  population  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz  up  to  423,800. 
tain  additions  were  also  made  for  Oruro. 


26 


BOLIVIA:    A   COMMERCIAL   A  X 1 1    [NDUSTBIAL    HANDBOOK. 


(. '( >cbabamba— Continued . 

Mizque '■">■  785 

Campero 1 1.  536 

Potoai 323,615 

Frias 49,998 

Charcaa 54,  124 

Linares 51,  161 

Chayanta 54,016 

NorChichaa 40,512 

SurCbichas 37,772 

Porco 26,260 

Nor  Lipez 6,  565 

SurLipez 2,607 

Chuquisara 196,  !3 1 

Sucre 20,907 

Yamparaez 50,  929 

Tomina 52,  685 

Cinti 41,-147 

Azero 30,4(10 


San  f  a  < ' m z 161, 082 

Cercado 39,285 

Vallegrande 46,252 

Cordillera 33,210 

Velasco 24,550 

Chiquitoa 7.  765 

Tarija t;:.  ss? 

Cercado 17,085 

Mendez 13.  799 

Avilez 10,275 

( .run  Chaco 9,  215 

Salinas 8,836 

Arce ^.  f.77 

i:i  Beni 25.119 

Mojos 9,047 

Xacuma 6,  760 

[tenez 5,  750 

Vaca  Diez 3,562 

Colonias  I  T<  srritory  I C.  883 


Tarija 160,  709 

El  Beni 50,265 

Colonias 49,761 

Chaco 13.272 


The  population  was  officially  estimated  in  1918  at  the  following 
figures: 

La  Paz 734,021 

Oruro 137,33(5 

Cochabamba 512,  590 

Potosi 515,  458 

( ihuquisaca 319,  325 

SantaCruz 327,382  j  Tota1 2,820,119 

The  census  of  1900  gave  the  white  population  of  the  Republic  as 
231,088,  or  14.64  per  cent  of  the  total  population.  However,  some 
who  have  a  certain  admixture  of  Indian  blood,  but  socially  belong 
to  the  upper  classes,  declare  themselves  as  whites  in  the  census 
returns.  The  percentage  of  whites  varies  greatly  between  different 
parts  of  the  country,  being  highest  in  Santa  Cruz  (28.37  per  cent) 
and  lowest  in  Potosi  (6.66  per  cent). 

WHITE  ELEMENT  IN  POPULATION. 

The  character  of  the  white  element  in  the  population  is  largely  the 
result  of  its  Spanish  heritage,  modified  by  long  residence  in  the 
peculiar  environment  of  the  Bolivian  Plateau.  Railways  and  foreign 
travel  and  better  education  have  done  much  to  break  down  the 
provincialism  that  was  so  long  common  to  Bolivians  and  that  was 
only  the  natural  consequence  of  the  country's  inland  position.  This 
provincialism  was  also  partly  due  to  the  isolation  of  the  different 
centers  of  population  within  the  Republic.  The  long  distances  and 
difficult  communications  between  the  important  cities  of  the  country 
not  only  developed  strong  particularistic  sentiments  that  were  an 
obstacle  to  political  unity  and  a  factor  for  unrest,  but  positive  differ- 
ences between  the  temperament  of  the  population  oi  different  sec- 
tions. Thus  the  typical  PacefiO  developed  certain  characteristics 
that  are  quite  distinguishable  from  some  of  the  qualities  of  the 
Orureno,  the  Cochabambino,  the  Potosino,  the  Sucrense,  or  the  Cru- 
ceno.  Some  of  these  are  more  enterprising  or  practical  or  refined  or 
excitable  than  others.  However,  the  upper-class  Bolivians  of  all 
parts  of  the  Republic  have  the  best  traits  of  the  Spanish  character 

m  a  high  degree.  They  are  nearly  always  courteous  and  considerate1, 
and  are  sincerely  hospitable  and  friendly  to  natives  and  foreigners 
alike. 


INTRODUCTION.  27 

"CHOLOS,"  OF  MIXED  WHITE  AND  INDIAN  BLOOD. 

The  mestizos  or  mixed  breeds,  locally  known  as  "cholos,"  are  an 
ethnic  factor  of  increasing  importance  in  Bolivia.  Their  proportion 
also  differs  greatly  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  ranging  from 
8.13  per  cent  of  the  population  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz  to  51.54 
per  cent  in  Cochabamba,  where  the  amalgamation  of  the  tw7o  races 
has  proceeded  furthest.  According  to  the  census  of  1900  the  num- 
ber of  mestizos  was  484,611,  or  29.45  per  cent  of  the  total  popula- 
tion. 

The  "cholo"  is  the  product  of  the  mixture  of  the  Spaniard  and 
the  Indian,  and  so  shares  to  a  certain  extent  the  qualities  of  both, 
though  he  has  some  characteristics  that  are  common  to  hybrid 
races  in  general.  He  generally  lacks  initiative  and  persistence,  and 
only  too  often  a  strict  regard  for  responsibility.  He  is  prone  to  be 
verbose  and  is  often  eloquent.  He  is  rather  fond  of  display  and  is 
inclined  to  be  satisfied  wTith  superficial  attainments.  However,  he 
is  vastly  superior  in  intelligence  and  adaptability  to  the  Indian,  and 
has,  moreover,  assumed  much  of  the  agreeable  manner  of  the  white. 
He  also  has  the  sense  of  humor  that  is  so  noticeably  lacking  in  the 
Indian. 

The  "cholo"  occupies  a  very  important  place  in  both  the  indus- 
trial and  the  political  life  of  the  nation.  He  furnishes  nearly  all 
the  skilled  labor  and  some  of  the  unskilled.  The  major-domos, 
or  superintendents,  of  the  large  landed  estates  are  usually  "cholos," 
and  many  "cholos"  are  themselves  independent  proprietors.  Nearly 
all  the  small  shopkeepers  are  "  cholos"  or  "  cholas."  For  the  women 
of  this  class,  who  are  uncommonly  shrewd  and  independent,  arc  much 
given  to  the  management  of  small  businesses.  Most  of  the  stalls 
in  the  public  markets  are  kept  by  them,  and  most  of  the  purveyors  of 
liquors  are  "cholas."  The  class  of  household  servants  is  also  largely 
recruited  from  them.  There  are  different  castes  or  gradations  of 
the  general  class  of  "cholas,"  depending  on  the  degree  of  their 
prosperity,  the  social  standing  of  their  occupation,  or  the  propor- 
tion of  white  blood  in  their  veins.  The  high  and  the  low  class ' '  cholas 
are  generally  distinguishable  by  their  dress,  the  former  wearing  the 
high,  polished  white  hat,  bright-colored  "manta"  or  shawl  (often  of 
silk) ,  and  high  buttoned  boots  that  are  so  familiar  a  sight  in  La  Paz . 
The  garb  of  the  low-class  "chola"  shades  off,  like  her  complexion, 
until  it  approximates  that  of  her  Indian  cousin.  All  classes  of 
"cholas"  wear  several  heavy  skirts,  made  of  bright-colored  baize 
or  "bayeta"  and  superimposed  one  over  the  other,  often  to  a  very 
considerable  thickness. 

In  politics  the  great  mass  of  voters  come  from  the  class  of  "  cholos," 
and  most  of  the  subordinate  posts  in  the  Government  are  filled  by 
men  of  this  class.  Some  of  them  have  risen  to  high  places  in  public 
life  and  have  occupied  positions  in  the  national  ministries. 


The  census  of  1900  gave  the  Indian  population  of  Bolivia  as  792,850, 
or  48.42  per  cent  of  the  entire  population.  The  proportion  was 
highest  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz  (75.61  per  cent)  and  lowest 
in  that  of  Cochabamba  (23.04  per  cent).  The  great  majority  of  the 
Indians  of  Bolivia  belong  to  two  races — the  Ayrnara  and  the  Quechua, 
both  of  which  inhabit  the  "altiplano." 


28  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 


The  habitat  of  the  Aymaras  is  the  plateau  region  of  the  Department 
of  La  Paz  and  the  northern  part  of  the  Department  of  Oruro.  They 
are  a  people  of  rugged  appearance,  and  many  are  of  robust  build, 
being  above  the  average  of  the  Indian  races  in  stature.  The  hard 
struggle  for  existence  eliminates  the  weaker  individuals  early  in 
life, "and  those  who  survive  the  first  trying  years  are  sturdy  and 
well  fitted  for  coping  with  their  rigorous  environment.  Their 
language,  which  may  be  heard  in  the  streets  of  La  Paz,  is  harsh 
ana  guttural   and   is"  still  in  a  rudimentary  state  of  development. 

The  Aymara  is  disposed  to  be  sullen  and  taciturn  and  has  an  air 
of  habitual  melancholy.  Though  normally  servile  in  his  attitude 
toward  his  white  superiors,  he  is  given  to  vindictive  revolts  when 
he  feels  that  his  communal  or  traditional  rights  have  been  too  long 
violated.  lie  is  then  cruel  and  relentless.  Local  risings  of  the 
"indiada"  occur  every  few  years  and  are  put  down  by  the  Govern- 
ment forces.  The  last  of  these  troubles  occurred  in  July,  1920. 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Titicaca.  Because  of  his  fighting 
qualities,  the  Aymara  (with  "cholos"  of  Aymara  admixture)  forms 
the  backbone  of  the  Bolivian  Army.  He  is  given  to  the  drinking  of 
liquor;  only  when  he  is  under  its  influence  does  he  laugh  or  become 
Loquacious  and  communicative.  His  intelligence,  which  is  naturally 
dwarfed  by  his  environment  and  the  monotony  of  his  surroundings, 
is  further  impaired  by  his  constant  use  of  coca.  Though  the  chew- 
ing of  the  strongly  narcotic  coca  leaves  endows  him  with  inordinate 
powers  of  enduring  fatigue  and  hunger,  it  is  undoubtedly  a  factor 
for  the  physical  degeneration  of  the  race. 

The  normal  environment  in  which  the  Aymara  lives,  and  which 
accounts  for  his  peculiar  temperament,  is  highly  unfavorable  to  human 
lib',  when  unaided  by  the  resources  of  modern  civilization,  which 
are  beyond  the  reach  of  the  Indian.  The  Aymara's  existence  has 
been  a  continuous  struggle  against  the  environment  of  the  bleak 
and  inhospitable  plateau-  against  cold  and  hunger  and  the  lack  of 
oxygen.  The  hard  conditions  of  life  have  left  little  place  in  him  for 
affection  or  any  other  of  the  finer  feelings.  One  of  his  strongesl 
sentiments  is  his  ineradicable  attachment  to  the  "ayllu,"  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  was  born  and  in  which  his  ancestors  lived.  So 
strong  is  this  attachment  to  his  traditional  home  that  he  refuses  to 
migrate  to  the  warmer  \  alleys  beyond  the  Andes  where  the  conditions 
of  life  are  much  more  favorable.  His  music  is  in  accord  with  the 
dreary  circumstances  of  his  life  and  consists  of  the  melancholy  and 
monotonous  minor  note-  of  the  "quina"  or  reed  flute.  His  few 
songs  .iic  mournful  chants  that  are  seldom  heard. 

The  country-dwelling  Aymara  lives  in  a  hut  made  of  mud  or  stones, 
where  he  sleeps  on  a  sheep  pelt  on  the  bare  floor  or  on  the  floor 
itself.  His  clothing  consists  of  a  peaked  woolen  cap  with  long  "ear 
flaps"  that  hang  down  over  the  side  of  his  face;  a  homespun  woolen 
poncho,  generally  of  great   age;  rough   trousers  split    part   way   up 

the  back'  of  the' leg;  'and  crude  sandals,  which  he  wears  over  the 
rocky  roads  of  the  mountain  country  or  the  sharp  cobblestones  ol 
I. a     Paz,     but     which    are    generally    'discarded.       His    sparse    diet     LS 

made  up  of  potatoes,  usually  in  the  desiccated  form  known  as"chuno, 
a  stew  made  of  vegetables  and  barley,  or  "quinua,'1  and  parched 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


> 


....--'    •  w 


FIG.  4.— ALPACAS   IN  THE  CARANGAS   DISTRICT. 


FIG.  5.— LLAMA  TRAIN   NEAR   LA   PAZ. 


INTRODUCTION.  29 

corn.     He  eats  little  meat  or  bread,  though  he  may  kill  a  sheep  to 
celebrate  a  fiesta. 

The  Aymara  is  the  agricultural  laborer  of  the  "  altiplano,  though 
seldom  a  proprietor,  save  where  the  ancient  communal  tenure  has 
been  permitted  to  survive  in  some  distant  localities.  He  also  does 
the  rough  work  of  the  city  and  can  always  be  seen  carrying  burdens 
about  the  streets  of  La  Paz.  He  cares  for  the  herds  and  flocks  of 
the  plateau  and  drives  the  pack  trains  of  mules,  burros,  or  llamas 
from  place  to  place.  He  is  often  the  owner  of  small  flocks  of  sheep 
or  droves  of  pack  animals,  whose  life  he  shares  in  a  strange  intimacy. 
Most  of  the  workers  in  the  mines  are  also  drawn  from  his  class.  He 
has  no  place  in  the  political  life  of  the  nation,  and  sharp  barriers  of 
caste  separate  him  from  those  who  own  and  rule  the  country.  Even 
the  majority  of  the  "  cholos,"  who  have  sprung  from  a  mixture  of  his 
race  with  the  Spaniard,  look  down  on  him  and  refuse  to  speak  his 
language. 

QUECHUAS. 

The  much  more  numerous  Quechua  race  is  spread  over  a  wide 
area  from  Ecuador  south  into  Argentina  and  Chile,  as  attested  by 
such  names  as  Cajabamba  in  the  former  country,  Catamarca  in 
Argentina,  and  Chuquicamata  in  Chile.  In  Bolivia  the  Quechuas 
constitute  the  abroginal  race  in  part  of  the  Department  of  Oruro  and 
in  Cochabamba,  Chuquisaca,  and  Potosi.  Their  language  forms  one 
of  the  great  lingual  stocks  of  South  America  and  is  much  more  highly- 
developed  than  the  rude  speech  of  the  Aymaras. 

The  Quechua  is  smaller  in  stature  than  the  Aymara,  less  robust 
and  of  finer  features,  some  of  the  men  of  the  Sucre  district  being  of 
quite  handsome  appearance.  However,  the  Aymara  "cholos," 
particularly  the  "cholas"  of  La  Paz,  are  generally  superior,  as 
regards  stamina  and  appearance,  to  the  majority  of  the  Quechua 
mixed  breeds. 

There  is  a  vast  difference  in  the  character  of  the  two  races.  The 
Aymara,  at  the  time  of  the  Spanish  conquest,  had  lived  under  the 
Incaic  dominion  only  a  comparatively  short  time  and  still  lived  in  a 
semibarbarous  state.  The  Quechua,  on  the  other  hand,  had  long 
been  subjected  to  the  peculiar  civilizing  regime  of  the  Incas,  which 
had  given  him  certain  .fundamental  elements  of  culture  and  a  settled 
order  of  society,  even  though  it  had  deprived  him  of  all  personal 
initiative.  The  Incaic  institutions  have  disappeared,  save  in  the 
survival  of  a  few  customs,  but  the  Quechua  still  preserves  in  his 
temper  much  of  the  heritage  of  pre-Spanish  days.  He  is  eminently 
docile  and  passive,  whereas  the  submissiveness  of  the  Aymara  can 
never  be  taken  for  granted.  He  also  is  taciturn  and  uncommunica- 
tive, but  never  defiantly  or  sullenly  so.  His  temper  is  in  general 
much  gentler  and  kindlier  than  that  of  the  Aymara.  However,  he 
has  the  same  propensity  for  drink,  which  he  shares  with  the  other 
Indian  races  of  South  America.  Except  in  the  high  mountain  dis- 
tricts of  Oruro  and  Potosi,  he  prefers  the  milder  "chicha"  to  the 
strong  liquors  that  serve  the  Aymara,  This  is  particularly  true  in 
the  valleys  of  Cochabamba  and  Chuquisaca,  where  large  areas  of 
corn  are  devoted  to  the  making  of  "  chicha."  In  the  city  of  Cocha- 
bamba there  are  1,400  "chicherias,"  or  shops  where  "chicha"  is 
dispensed.  This  is  at  the  rate  of  about  1  to  25  persons  in  the  popula- 
tion. 


30  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 


The  Quechua's  manner  of  life  varies  considerably  in  different 
districts.     In  the  valleys  of  Cochabamba  and  Sucre,  which  arc  the 

favorite  habitats  of  the  race,  it  is  much  superior  to  the  conditions 
in  the  more  unfavorable  environment  of  the  Oruro  and  Potosi  high- 
lands. In  the  former  he  is  an  agriculturist,  working  in  a  good  soil 
and  a  temperate  climate.  There  he  has  enough  to  eat  of  corn  and 
vegetables  and  often  of  meat,  and  the  climate  makes  few  demands 
in  the  way  of  clothing  and  housing.  In  Potosi  and  Oruro  he  is  a 
worker  in  the  mines,  or  farms  the  barren  and  rocky  soil  of  the  moun- 
tains. Here  his  conditions  of  life  are  much  like  those  of  the  Aymara 
of  the  La  Paz  "  altiplano." 

Like  the  A  vmara  he  lives  apart  from  the  political  life  of  the  Republic 
but  is  less  esteemed  as  a  soldier.  Yet  with  the  Aymara  he  forms  the 
very  basis  of  the  whole  economic  life  of  the  country. 

MINOR   TRIBES. 

Besides  the  two  principal  Indian  peoples,  there  are  a  large  number 
of  minor  tribes.  These  vary  in  degree  of  civilization  from  the  savages 
of  the  Monte  Grande  in  the  Santa  Cruz  country  and  the  fierce  Siriones 
of  the  upper  Mamore  forests  to  the  domesticated  and  peaceful 
natives  of  the  Yungas,  the  Chiriguanos  on  the  western  side  of  the 
Chaco,  and  some  isolated  remnants  of  tribes  in  the  plateau  Provinces 
of  Carangas  and  Pacajes.  Most  of  these  tribes  are  scattered  over 
the  eastern  plains  from  the  lower  Beni  around  by  the  Mamore  and 
Itenez  Basins  and  the  Chiquitos  highlands  into  the  Chaco  and  the 
lower  regions  of  Chuquisaca  and  Tarija.  Some,  like  the  Guarayos  of 
Nuflo  de  Chavez,  the  Yuracares  of  the  Mamore  country^  and  the 
Indians  along  the  Madidi,  are  under  the  influence  of  Franciscan 
missionaries.  Others  roam  the  forests  or  plains  in  a  state  of  unmiti- 
gated barbarism.  Still  others  such  as  the  Chiquitanos  are  civilized 
Indians,  who  have  mingled  their  blood  to  a  large  extent  with  that  oi 
the  whites.  The  Chiriguanos  are  a  peaceful  race  of  Guarani  stock 
who  inhabit  the  country  between  Santa  Cruz  and  the  Argentine 
border. 

NEGROES. 

The  Negro  population  of  Bolivia  is  small  and  of  insignificant 
importance  in  the  national  life.  It  amounted  to  3,945  persons  in 
j ooo  and  is  largely  concentrated  in  the  warm  valleys  of  the  "1  ungas 
of  La  Paz  and  Tn  the  Beni.  The  Department  with  the  smallest  pro- 
portion of  Negroes  is  Potosi,  with  but  0.03  percent  of  its  population 
in  1900.  The  census  of  1000  gave  L21,116  persons,  or  7.31  per  cent 
of  the  population  of  the  Republic,  as  "unclassified." 

FOREIGN  POPULATION. 

The  census  of  1000  gave  the  foreign  population  of  the  Republic  by 
nationalities  as  follows: 


Nail" 


IVnr.  I 

Lnians. 
Chilean 

Brazil! 
Spaniards — 


Number. 




17-J 

120 


Percent 


34.33 
18.53 

s.  89 
7.  88 
,.  |6 
5.69 


Nationality. 


Qermans. . 
French 

AuMimns 

British 

Americans 


Number. 


296 
279 

177 
Ml 
i.l 


Percent- 


:;.  98 
3.75 

•J.  lis 

i .  99 
.82 


INTRODUCTION.  31 

The  most  numerous  foreign  element  in  Bolivia  consists  of  persons 
born  in  the  neighboring  Republics.  These  include  the  large  Peruvian 
colony  in  La  Paz  (somewhat  diminished  after  the  riots  of  March, 
1920)',  the  Chileans  employed  in  the  mines  and  in  business,  the 
Argentinians  in  Tarija,  and  the  Brazilians  in  the  lower  Beni  and 
Colonias.  Most  of  the  British  in  the  country  are  employed  by  the 
Bolivia  Railway,  are  connected  with  British  commercial  houses,  or 
are  mining  engineers.  The  Germans  are  employees  of  trading 
houses  or  of  the  German  bank.  There  are  also  considerable  Spanish 
and  Italian  colonies  in  the  cities,  most  of  whose  members  are  engaged 
as  skilled  laborers  or  in  small  businesses,  though  some  important 
business  houses  in  La  Paz  are  owned  by  Spaniards.  There  is  now  a 
fairly  large  colony  of  Jugoslavs  in  Oruro  and  Potosi  engaged  in  the 
grocery  and  general  merchandise  business.  There  are  some  settle- 
ments of  Japanese  in  the  Beni  and  a  few  Japanese  barbers  and  bazaar 
keepers  scattered  about  the  plateau. 

The  American  population  in  Bolivia  now  numbers  about  350. 
The  largest  single  aggregation  consists  of  the  employees  of  a  large 
mining  company.  Others  are  engaged  in  other  mining  enterprises 
or  in  mercantile  business.  Some  are  employed  as  teachers  in  mission 
schools,  and  about  a  dozen  are  located  as  colonists  in  eastern  Bolivia. 

GOVERNMENT. 

The  Government  of  Bolivia  is  based  on  a  constitution  which  was 
adopted  in  1880.  Previously  the  form  of  government  had  been 
altered  several  times  by  the*  dictators  who  so  often  governed  the 
country.  As  in  Chile  and  Peru,  the  Government  is  a  centralized 
Republic,  as  opposed  to  the  federalism  of  Argentina  and  Brazil. 
Voting  is  limited  to  male  citizens  over  21  years  of  age  who  can  read 
and  write  and  who  possess  an  independent  income  of  at  least  200 
bolivianos  per  year.     Domestic  servants  are  barred  from  voting. 

The  scheme  of  government  is  somewhat  as  illustrated  by  the 
following  outline: 

NATIONAL. 

Executive: 
President. 

Vice  Presidents  (two). 
Ministers — 

Government  and  Justice. 
Foreign  Affairs  and  Worship. 
Finance. 

Industry  and  Public  Works. 
Public  instruction  and  Agriculture. 
War  and  Colonization. 
Legislative : 
Congress — 
Senate. 

Chamber  of  Deputies. 
Judicial: 

Supreme  Court. 
Attorney  General. 

LOCAL. 

Departments: 

Executive- — Prefect. 
Judicial- — 

District  court. 

District  attorney. 

Judges  of  first  instance. 


32  BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

Provinces: 

Executive— Subprefect. 

.1  udicial— Judges  of  lirst  instance. 
Cant  i  mis: 

Executive-   "  ( '<  nregidor.' ' 
Cities: 

Executive — President  of  municipal  council. 

!  legislative — Municipal  council. 

.) udicial-  Parish  judges  or  "alcaldes." 
Indian  communities: 

Executive — "Cacique,"  etc. 

EXECUTIVE  BRANCH. 

As  is  usual  with  governments  of  this  class,  the  presidential  office 
overshadows  the  other  parts  of  the  national  administration,  though 
much  depends  on  the  force  of  personality  of  the  President.  The 
President  is  elected  by  direct  popular  vote  for  a  term  of  years,  but 
may  not  be  reelected  until  after  a  lapse  of  four  years,  as  happened 
in  the  case  of  President  Montes.  The  powers  granted  to  the  Chief 
Executive  by  the  Bolivian  constitution  are  substantially  those  held 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  but  the  traditions  of  personal 
authority  are  much  stronger  in  the  former  country. 

The  Bolivian  constitution  provides  for  the  extraordinary  precaution 
of  two  vice  presidents,  one  of  whom  presides  over  the  national 
Senate. 

The  cabinet  system  is  modeled  on  that  in  force  in  most  European 
countries,  and  is  based  on  the  principle  of  ministerial  responsibility. 
The  cabinet  thus  represents  the  party  in  power  at  the  tune  and  is 
selected  from  the  majority  in  the  Congress.  There  are  six  cabinet 
ministers,  as  follows:  Foreign  Affairs  and  Worship.  Finance,  Gov- 
ernment and  Justice,  Public  Works  and  Industry,  Public  Instruction 
and  Agriculture,  and  War  and  Colonization.  When  such  diverse 
interests  are  represented  within  a  single  portfolio,  as  in  some  of 
these  cases,  it  is  difficult  to  coordinate  properly  the  work  of  the 
departments  of  government.  The  Ministry  of  Government  and 
Justice,  which  might  be  called  a  Ministry  of  the  Interior,  is  of  great 
importance  in  the  scheme  of  government.  This  office  has  control 
over  the  national  elections,  the  policing  of  the  country,  the  post- 
office  and  telegraph  systems,  Questions  of  sanitation  and  hygiene, 
and,  through-  the  prefects  and  subprefects,  it  controls  the  Local 
government  of  the  Departments  and  Provinces.  On  its  judicial 
side  it  has  jurisdiction  over  questions  pertaining  to  the  courts,  the 
practice  of  law,  and  the  national  penal  system.  The  Ministry  oi 
Public  Works  (Fomento)  and  Industry  has  control  over  railways, 
river  and  lake  navigation,  roads  and  bridges,  public  buildings, 
public  utilities  in  the  cities  (with  cooperation  of  the  muTru-ipalit ios> , 
the  promotion  and  regulation  of  commerce  and  industries,  mining, 
the    government    monopolies,    and    patents    and    trade-marks. 

LEGISLATIVE  AND  JUDICIAL  AUTHORITY. 

The  national  Legislative  body  consists  of  a  Congress  composed  of  a 
Senate  and  a  Chamber  <>f  Deputies.  The  annual  session  of  Congress 
begins  on  August  6  and  Lasts  for  no  days,  though  the  President  is 
empowered  to  call  a  special  session  to  deal  with  any  extraordinary 

and  invent   matters.      The  senators  arc  elected  by  popular  vote  for  a 


INTRODUCTION.  33 

term  of  six  years.  There  are  two  from  each  Department,  so  that 
the  entire  membership  of  the  Senate  numbers  16.  The  deputies  are 
elected  for  four  years.  The  total  membership  of  the  lower  house 
amounts  to  70. 

The  national  judiciary  consists  of  a  Supreme  Court  of  seven  mem- 
bers, who  are  elected  by  the  Chamber  of  Deputies  from  lists  submitted 
by  the  Senate.  The  judges  hold  office  for  a  period  of  10  years.  The 
jurisdiction  of  the  court  is  limited  to  the  adjudication  of  cases  ap- 
pealed to  it  from  the  district  or  departmental  courts. 

The  Supreme  Court  sits  at  Sucre,  being  the  only  branch  of  the 
National  (jovernment  which  that  city  has  retained.  Though  Sucre 
is  still  legally  the  capital  of  the  Republic,  the  actual  seat  of  govern- 
ment has  been  located  at  La  Paz  since  1900.  La  Paz  has  advan- 
tages of  greater  population,  commercial  importance,  and  accessibility, 
which  justify  its  position  as  the  center  of  government,  in  spite  of 
Sucre's  traditional  claims  and  the  amenities  of  its  climate  and  its 
cultured  aristocracy. 

ADMINISTRATIVE  DIVISIONS. 

Bolivia  consists  of  eight  Departments,  which  are  purely  adminis- 
trative divisions  and  not  self-governing  states,  as  in  the  federal 
republics  of  South  America.  Little  autonomy  is  permitted  in  de- 
partmental administration,  but  the  government  of  the  Departments 
is  largely  directed  from  the  Ministry  of  Gobierno,  or  Government, 
in  La  Paz,  to  which  the  prefects  are  responsible.  Each  Department, 
is  administered  by  a  prefect,  who  is  appointed  by  the  President  for 
four  years.  The  prefect  is  not  only  the  head  of  the  civil  government 
of  the  Department,  with  verj7"  large  authority,  but,  as  commandant- 
general,  is  in  control  of  the  military  forces  of  the  district. 

The  Departments  are  divided  into  Provinces,  of  which  there  are 
66  in  the  entire  Republic.     The  present  list  of  Provinces  is  as  follows: 

Department  of  La  Paz  (14)- — Murillo,  Omasuyos.  Los  Andes,  Larecaja.  Camaeho, 
Munccas,  Caupolican.  Nor  Yungas,  Sur  Yungas,  Inquisrvi,  Loayza,  Sicasica,  Pacajes, 
Ingavi. 

Department  of  Cochabamba  (14)- — Cercado,  Ayopaya.  Chapare.  Punata,  Arani, 
Tarata,  Cliza,  Totora,  Mizque,  Campero,  Capinota,  Arque,  Tapacari,  Quillacollo. 

Department  of  Oruro  (4)- — Cercado,  Carangas,  Poopo.  Abaroa. 

Department  of  (liuquisaca  (7). — Oropesa.  Yamparaez,  Azero,  Toruina,  Zudanez, 
Azurduy,  Cinti. 

Department  of  Potosi  (10). — Cercado  (Frias\  Charcas,  Bustillo,  Ckayanta,  Nor 
Lipez,  Sur  Lipez,  Porco,  Linares,  Nor  Chichas,  Sur  Chiehas. 

Department  of  Tarija  (6). — Cercado,  Mendez,  Avilez,  Arce,  O'Connor,  Gran  Chaeo. 

Department  of  Santa  Cruz  (7). — Cercado,  Sara,  Nuflo  de  Chavez,  Velasco,  Chiquitos, 
Cordillera,  Yallegrande. 

Department  of  El  Beni  (4)- — Cercado  (Mojos),  Yacuma,  Itenez,  Vaca  Diez. 

The  Provinces  named  "Cercado"  comprise  the  districts  about  the 
capitals  of  the  Departments.  The  Provinces  are  administered  by 
subprefects,  who  are  appointed  by  the  President  for  four  years,  but 
who  are  under  the  direct  control  of  the  prefect. 

The  Provinces  are  in  turn  subdivided  into  cantons.  An  official 
known  by  the  old  Spanish  title  of  "corregidor"  is  placed  over  each 
canton.  He  is  named  by  the  prefect  and  holds  office  for  one  year. 
Still  smaller  districts  are  administered  by  an  official  known  as  an 
"  alcalde  de  campana." 

444G2°— 21 3 


34  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND  INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

The  government  of  towns  and  cities  is  regulated  by  the  Organic 
Law  of  Municipalities,  which  was  issued  November  21,  1887,  and  by 
subsequent  amendments  to  the  basic  law.  According  to  this  law 
each  city  has  a  municipal  council,  whose  president  holds  a  position 
Largely  analogous  to  (hat  of  mayor  in  the  United  States.  The  provin- 
cial capitals  are  administered  by  "juntas  municipals ''  of  5  members. 
The  municipal  governments  have  authority  over  purely  local  affairs, 
such  as  markets,  paving,  police,  lighting,  and  primary  instruction,  but 
Bolivian  cities  do  not  enjoy  the  same  degree  of  self-government 
that  is  exercised  in  the  United  States. 

The  Bolivian  Government  has  left  much  of  the  administration  of 
Indian  communities  to  local  Indian  officials,  who  are,  however,  more 
or  less  responsible  to  the  "corregidor"  or  subprefect  of  the  district. 
These  native  authorities,  whose  position  is  symbolized  by  an  orna- 
mental silver  cane,  are  known  by  the  Indian  names  '''cacique, " 
"curaca,"  "malleu,"  or  "ilicata,"  or  by  the  old  Spanish  titles  of 
"alcalde"  and  "regidor."  These  officials  often  exert  considerable 
authority  over  the  community  which  they  head. 

POLITICAL  PARTIES. 

There  are  two  principal  parties  in  Bolivian  politics,  the  Liberal 
and  the  Republican.  A  third  party,  the  Radical,  is  of  little  impor- 
tance. The  Liberal  party  was  in  power  from  1900,  when  Gen.  Pando 
began  his  first  term  as  President,  until  July,  1920.  During  much  of 
this  period,  great  material  progress  was  made.  Railways  were  built, 
the  mining  industry  attained  a  degree  of  development  never  reached 
before,  and  the  country's  credit  in  the  international  money  market 
was  firmly  established  and  maintained  through  the  trying  times  of 
the  early  years  of  the  war.  Much  of  this  progress  was  due  to  the 
leadership  of  Gen.  Ismael  Montes,  who  was  twice  President  of  the 
Republic. 

On  the  early  morning  of  July  12,  1920,  the  Liberal  Government  of 
President  Jose  Gutierrez  Guerra  was  overthrown  by  a  military  coup 
d'etat  organized  in  the  interests  of  the  Republican  party.  The 
revolution  was  an  almost  bloodless  one.  Normal  conditions  were 
quickly  restored,  and  a  Committee  of  Government,  consisting  of 
three  prominent  Republican  leaders,  took  charge  of  the  organization 
of  the  new  regime.  The  new  Government  quickly  confirmed  all 
existing  concessions,  contracts,  and  other  arrangements  made  by  the 
former  Liberal  administration  with  foreigners  and  foreign  govern- 
ments. 

In  the  election  held  on  January  29,  1921,  Bautista  Saavedra  was 
elected  President  of  the  Republic. 

Basically  (here  is  not  much  difference  between  the  platforms  of 
I  lie   two   principal    parties. 

The  quality  of  men  in  high  official  positions  is  \erv  noticeable. 
For  real  public  spirit  and  intelligence,  the  composition  of  the  national 
Congress  will  compare  favorably  with  that  m  the  more  advanced 
Republics  of  South  America,  although,  as  in  most  Latin  American 
count ries,  certain  of  the  members  fail  to  understand  adequately  the 
industrial   needs  of  the  nation. 

However,    the    unsatisfactory    quality    of    local    officials    persists. 

"Corregidors,"  and  frequently  sulbprefects,  have  not  a  sufficiently 


INTRODUCTION.  35 

high  sense  of  the  responsibility  of  their  positions.  These  officials 
are  usually  too  far  from  the  corrective  influence  of  La  Paz  or  the  re- 
straint that  the  prefect  might  exercise  over  them. 

DIPLOMATIC  RELATIONS. 

Bolivia  maintains  ministers  in  the  United  States,  Great  Britain, 
France,  Argentina,  Chile,  Peru,  Brazil,  Paraguay  and  Uruguay, 
Japan,  and  one  for  Colombia,  Venezuela,  and  Ecuador.  In  the 
United  States  there  are  consuls  general  in  New  York  and  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  officers  of  consular  rank  in  Philadelphia,  Kansas  City, 
Mo.,  New  Orleans,  Los  Angeles,  Seattle,  and  Boston.  There  are 
vice  consuls  in  Norfolk,  Mobile,  Newport  News,  and  Cincinnati. 

The  United  States  is  represented  in  Bolivia  by  a  minister.  There 
are  also  an  American  consul  and  vice  consul  in  La  Paz.  The  La  Paz 
consulate  is  located  in  the  Edificio  Taborga  on  Calle  Socabaya. 


NATIONAL  ARMY. 


The  Bolivian  Army  is  based  on  the  theory  of  universal  military 
service,  which,  however,  is  modified  by  the  practice  of  conscription 
by  lot,  whereby  those  called  up  each  year  for  service  are  required  to 
draw  lots.  All  males  between  the  ages  of  19  and  50  are  declared 
subject  to  military  service.  Exemptions  are  freely  allowed,  and,  in 
reality,  the  principle  of  universal  service  has  never  been  rigorously 
carried  out.  Moreover,  the  resources  of  the  Government  are  not 
commensurate  with  the  cost  of  maintaining  a  large  standing  army. 

A  law  of  December  15,  1915,  provided  for  a  permanent  force  of 
3,577  men.  The  ordinary  peace  strength  of  the  army  amounts  to 
about  3,500  men,  with  a  probable  reserve  of  about  15,000.  The  army 
consists  of  four  regiments  of  infantry,  one  regiment  of  cavalry  of  500 
men,  one  regiment  of  field  artillery,  one  regiment  of  mountain  artil- 
lery, and  one  machine-gun  regiment  of  150  men. 

The  army  is  German-trained,  and  the  uniform  of  the  officers  is  very 
German  in  appearance.  The  rifle  of  the  infantry  is  the  Mauser. 
Most  of  the  artillery  is  of  Schneider-Creusot  type,  and  the  machine 
guns  are  of  Krupp  make. 

The  principal  garrisons  are  stationed  at  Viacha,  La  Paz,  Guaqui, 
Oruro,  and  Sucre.  There  are  also  small  garrisons  at  Cobija  (Colonias) , 
Riberalta  (Beni),  Puerto  Suarez  (Oriente),  Robore  (Chiquitos),  and 
scattered  in  detachments  among  small  "fortines"  or  posts  along  the 
lower  Pilcomayo  River. 

The  chief  authority  in  military  matters  is  the  Minister  of  War. 
Operations  are  directed  by  an  Estado  Mayor,  or  General  Staff.  The 
country  is  divided  into  military  zones,  each  under  a  commandant. 
The  budget  of  1920  provided  for  11,316,494  bolivianos  for  the 
military  establishment  out  of  a  total  budget  of  53,629,120  'bolivianos. 

EDUCATION  AND  INTELLECTUAL  LIFE. 

In  a  country  with  the  large  Indian  and  mixed-breed  population 
of  Bolivia,  the  problem  of  popular  education  is  of  primary  importance. 
For  a  long  time  the  idea  prevailed  that  it  was  unnecessary  and  inad- 
visable to  educate  the  masses,  and  only  a  very  small  percentage  of 
the  population  was  able  to  read  and  write.  However,  this  condition 
coincided  with  an  era  of  great  industrial  inefficiency  and  political 


36 


BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 


turbulence,  and  for  two  decades  the  nation's  leaders  have  seen  the 
necessity  of  giving  the  mass  of  the  people  at  least  an  elementary 
instruction  that  would  better  fit  them  as  workers  and  citizens.  A 
few  progressive  Ministers  of  Public  Instruction  have  done  much  to 
modernize  the  public-school  system,  and,  though  they  have  had  to 
struggle  against  inertia,  conservatism,  and  lack  of  funds,  their  work 
has  had  very  gratifying  results  in  the  spread  of  literacy  among  the 

Eeople.  Very  much  remains  to  be  done,  but  the  people  themselves 
ave  awakened  to  the  value  of  education,  and  each  town  now  has  its 
public  school,  though  this  is  often  inadequately  housed  and  equipped. 
According  to  the  census  of  1900,  the  percentage  of  illiteracy 
throughout  the  Republic  was  84.  The  proportion  of  literacy  was 
highest  in  Santa  Cruz  (59  per  cent)  and  lowest  in  Potosi  (8  per  cent). 
The  proportion  of  illiteracy  has  probably  fallen  by  now  to  70  per 
cent. 

PUBLIC-SCHOOL  SYSTEM. 

The  public-school  system  in  Bolivia  is  under  the  direction  of  the 
Ministry  of  Public  Instruction.  The  national  budget  for  1920  pro- 
vided for  the  expenditure  of  4,644,686  bolivianos  for  public  educa- 
tion. The  increase  in  the  budget  for  public  instruction  since  1900 
is  illustrated  by  the  following  figures: 

Bolivianos. 

1900 382,724 

1901 392,784 

1902 206,495 

1903 128,320 

1904 109,800 

1905 884,  81(5 

1906 1, 014,  392 

1907 1, 459,  305 

1908 1,833,904 

1909 1.939  804 

The  small  appropriations  for  1902-1904  were  due  to  the  large 
expenses  incurred  by  the  Government  in  the  Acre  contest  against 
the  Brazilians.  The  decline  in  1916  resulted  from  the  falling  off  of 
the  national  revenues  caused  by  the  World  War.  Salaries  m  the 
public  school  system  range  from  600  bolivianos  a  year  for  teachers 
of  some  of  the  village  schools  to  12,000  bolivianos  for  the  Minister  of 
Public  Instruction.      Examples  of  other  salaries  are: 

Teachers  in  high  schools.  L,200to  4,200  bolivianos; average,  2,400  to  3,000  boli- 

\  ianos. 
Principals  of  high  schools,  3,600  bolivianos  i  Potosi  and  Tarija)  to  8,400  bolivianos 

(Siktc  I. 
Directors  of  normal  schools.  7,200  bolivianos. 
Principals  of  primary  and  intermediate  schools: 

<  Lties,  3,600  to  1,800  boli\  ianos. 

Towns.  I. :.'()()  to  '-MOti  bolivianos. 
Teachers  in  primary  and  intermediate  schools: 

Cities,  L.200  to  2,000  bolivianos. 

Towns,  tide  to  1,200  bolivianos. 

Schools    arc    classified    according    as    they    are    maintained    l>v    the 

National  Government  or  by  the  municipalities.  The  former  arc 
known  as  fiscal  schools,  in  distinction  from  the  municipal  schools. 
The  number  of  lisc-il  schools  in  the  Republic  during  each  year  from 
1900  to  1918  was  as  follows:   1900,84;  l'.toi.  109;  L902,  123:  1903,64; 


Bolivianos. 

1910 1,497,643 

1!)11 1,755,876 

1912 1,  766.  009 

1913 2.  147,950 

1911 2,562,  ins 

1915 2,673,326 

1916 2,001,831 

1917 2.638,662 

1918 3,020,672 


INTRODUCTION. 


37 


1904,  63;  1905,  95;  1906,  170;  1907,  193;  1908,  195;  1909,  222;  1910, 
187;  1911, 262;  1912,  265;  1913,  474; 1914,  612;  1915,  540;  1916,  430; 
1917,  477;  1918,  450.  A  large  number  of  schools  were  closed  after 
1914  because  of  the  shortage  of  funds  that  resulted  from  the  decline 
of  import  and  export  duties  following  the  beginning  of  the  war  in 
Europe. 

The  enrollment  in  all  classes  of  schools,  both  public  and  private, 
in  1918  was  as  follows: 


Districts. 

Primary. 

Second- 
ary. 

Higher. 

Normal. 

Special. 

Total. 

14.481 
10,260 

9,528 
7,538 
4,821 
2,274 
2, 677 
2,204 

529 
792 
334 
180 
377 

93 
179 

75 

119 
232 
85 
54 
170 
32 
33 

44 
130 

182 
960 

15,355 

12, 374 

9,947 

30 
•    127 

7,802 

155 
31 

40 

5,650 

2,430 

2,929 

2,279 

Total 

53,783 

2, 559 

725 

331 

1,368 

58, 766 

PRIMARY    INSTRUCTION. 


The  Bolivian  constitution  declares  that  "primary  instruction  is 
free  and  obligatory."  Though  only  a  distant  approximation  has  been 
made  to  this  ideal,  an  effort  is  being  made  to  give  the  mass  of  the 
"  cholo  "  population,  as  well  as  the  children  of  white  families,  the  bene- 
fits of  primary  schooling,  especially  a  knowledge  of  reading  and  writ- 
ing and  the  elements  of  arithmetic.  A  few  "escuelas  de  indigenas," 
or  Indian  schools,  have  also  been  established.  The  registration  in 
primary  and  intermediate  schools  throughout  Bolivia  in  1918  was 
as  follows: 


Capitals  of  Departments. 

Provinces. 

Districts. 

Fiscal. 

Munici- 
pal. 

Private. 

Fiscal. 

Munici- 
pal and 
private. 

Total. 

772 
1,877 
1,010 
475 
834 
744 
477 
496 

3,051 
1,347 
652 
1,161 
426 
781 
413 
35 

767 
1,039 
277 
620 
937 
330 
206 

2,138 
5,632 
3,750 
3,085 
1,312 
821 
1,234 
1,001 

8,253 

365 

3,S39 

1,377 

1,312 

68 

950 

669 

14,981 

10,  260 

9,  528 

6,718 

4,821 

2,744 

3,280 

2,201 

Total 

6, 6S5          7. 866 

4,176 

18,  973 

16,S33 

54,  533 

The  percentage  of  daily  attendance  is  highest  in  the  Department  of 
Cochabamba  (93  per  cent)  and  lowest  in  those  of  Tarija  (68  per  cent) 
and  La  Paz  (72  per  cent).  Two  hundred  and  thirty-three  teachers 
were  employed  in  the  fiscal  primary  schools  in  the  cities,  and  more 
than  520  in  the  village  and  rural  schools  of  the  Provinces. 


38 


BOLIVIA  :   A   COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 


SECONDARY    INSTRUCTION. 


Secondary  instruction  is  furnished  by  the  national  "colegios,"  or 
high  schools,  and  by  a  number  of  church  schools.  Though  more 
democratized  than  formerly,  the  secondary  schools  are  still  operated 
largely  in  the  interests  of  the  upper  classes,  and  little  attempt  is 
made  to  coordinate  their  work  with  that  of  the  elementary  schools. 
Of  hoys'  public  high  schools  there  are  two  in  Cochabamha  (Bolivar2 
and  Sucre),  one  in  La  Paz  (Ayacucho),  one  in  Potosi  (Pichincha  I . 
one  in  Sucre  (Junin),  one  in  Oruro  (Bolivar),  one  inTarija  (San  Luis), 
and  one  each  in  Santa  vCruz  and  Trinidad.  There  are  girls'  high 
schools  in  La  Paz,  Sucre,  Santa  Cruz,  and  Trinidad.  The  enrollment 
in  the  public  and  private  secondary  schools  in  1918  was  as  follows: 


Districts. 

Public. 

Private. 

Total. 

Boys. 

Girls. 

373 
476 
162 
212 
180 
179 
93 
67 

105 

311 
53 

165 

111 

792 

529 

50 

11 

377 

334 

ISO 

179 

93 

9 

76 

Total 

1,712  ;            175 

643 

2,  560 

Some  of  these  schools  are  well  housed,  particularly  the  Colegio 
Ayacucho,  of  La  Paz.  The  course  of  study  includes  such  subjects  as 
modern  languages  (especially  English  and  French),  pure  sciences 
(including  chemistry  and  physics),  world  and  national  histor}7. 

PRIVATE  SCHOOLS  MAINTAINED  BY  RELIGIOUS  ORGANIZATIONS. 

Two  of  the  best  private  schools  are  those  known  as  the  American 
Institutes  of  La  Paz  and  Cochabamha,  which  are  operated  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Methodist  Church.  These  schools  maintain  courses 
from  kindergarten  through  high  school,  and  each  has  about  300  pupils 
enrolled  in  all  grades.  There  are  also  a  number  of  schools  conducted 
by  various  Catholic  orders,  including  the  Jesuits  and  Franciscans. 
The  Jesuit  Academy  in  La  Paz  has  about  230  boys  enrolled. 

VOCATIONAL  TRAINING. 

A  remarkable  impetus  has  been  given  during  the  las!  few  years  to 
practical  or  vocational  education  in  Bolivia.  Schools  of  arts  and 
crafts,  or  "artes  y  oficios,"  are  now  found  in  the  important  cities. 
Though  they  are  generally  lacking  in  equipment  and  properly  trained 
instructors,  the  necessary  framework  and  impulse  already  exist  as  B 
basis  for  future  work.  In  L918  the  registration  in  these  schools  in 
La   Paz,  Cochabamha,  and  Sucre  was,  respectively,  206,  86,  and   L55. 

A  school  of  the  same  kind  has  been  recently  established  in  Potosi. 
The  School  of  Applied  Arts  in  La  Paz  had  an  enrollment  in  L918  of 
160.     The  Salesian  Brothers  conduct  a  series  of  trade  schools  known 


-  The  word  ■  In  parantheaei  are  the  names  of  the  schools. 


INTRODUCTION.  39 

as  the  "Colegios  de  Don  Bosco."  These  schools  are  especially- 
designed  to  train  artisans  and  craftsmen  from  among  boys  of  the 
common  people.     They  do  particularly  good  work  in  training  printers. 

There  is  a  National  School  of  Commerce  in  La  Paz,  which  dates 
from  1910.  It  had  131  pupils  in  1918.  A  similar  school  exists  in 
Cochabamba,  with  96  enrolled  in  1918.  The  American  Institute 
maintains  a  commercial  course,  and  its  La' Paz  school  has  been 
unable  to  meet  the  demand  for  clerical  help  in  that  city. 

An  agricultural  school  is  in  process  of  formation  near  Cochabamba, 
known  as  the  School  of  Agriculture  and  Animal  Husbandry  ("Gana- 
deria").  The  foundations  of  this  school,  which  is  situated  on  the 
"finca"  known  as  "La  Yileta,"  were  laid  in  1918.  The  allied  School 
of  Agronomy  and  Veterinary  Science  is  located  within  the  city  of 
Cochabamba. 

One  of  the  most  serious  needs  in  public  education  in  Bolivia  is  the 
establishment  of  rural  schools,  such  as  exist  in  the  Philippines, 
which  would  give  the  country  population  the  knowledge  and  ambition 
to  raise  the  agricultural  industry  from  its  present  backward  state. 

A  national  School  of  Mines  exists  at  Oruro,  which  is  the  mining 
center  of  the  Kepublic  and  the  logical  location  for  such  an  institution. 
The  school  has  a  4-year  course,  with  about  25  students  enrolled. 
This  is  lower  than  the  enrollment  in  1918,  when  40  students  were 
registered.  Though  it  has  excellent  materials  for  geological  study 
and  opportunities  for  observation  of  actual  mining  operations,  the 
school  lacks  the  necessary  machine  equipment. 

Considerable  progress  has  been  made  in  Bolivia  in  recent  years  in 
the  education  of  teachers  for  the  public  schools.  A  well-equipped 
Superior  Normal  Institute  in  La  Paz  had  an  enrollment  of  60  in 
1918,  and  the  Normal  School  in  Sucre  had  127  students  in  the  same 
year.  There  are  also  rural  normal  schools  at  Sacaba,  Tarata,  and 
Mizque,  in  the  Department  of  Cochabamba,  two  in  the  Department 
of  La  Paz,  and  two  in  the  Department  of  Potosi.  The  principal 
object  of  this  class  of  normal  school  is  the  training  of  teachers  for 
Indian  children. 

UNIVERSITIES. 

Each  Department,  with  the  exception  of  El  Beni,  has  its  own  uni- 
versity, all  of  these  institutions  being  under  the  direction  of  the 
Ministry  of  Public  Instruction.  With  the  exception  of  La  Paz  and 
Chuquisaca  (Sucre),  these  schools  consist  of  only  one  department,  that 
of  law.  The  University  of  Sucre  or  Chuquisaca  dates  from  colonial 
times,  having  been  founded  in  1642,  and  it  was  long  famous  through- 
out the  southern  part  of  South  America  as  an  institution  of  higher 
learning.  It  now  has  faculties  of  law,  medicine,  pharmacy,  and  theol- 
ogy. Of  its  170  students  in  1918,  52  were  enrolled  in  law,  60  in 
medicine,  and  50  in  theology.  The  University  of  La  Paz  has  faculties 
of- law,  medicine,  dentistry,  pharmacy,  obstetrics,  and  theology. 
The  total  enrollment  in  1918  was  232,  of  which  113  were  enrolled  in 
law,  72  in  medicine,  13  in  dentistry,  8  in  pharmacy,  14  in  obstetrics, 
and  12  in  theology.  The  registration  in  the  other  departmental 
universities  was  as  follows:  Cochabamba,  115;  Santa  Cruz,  85; 
Oruro,  33;  Potosi,  54;  and  Tarija.  32.  The  total  number  of  uni- 
versity students  enrolled  in  Bolivia  was  721. 


40  BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

University  education  in  Bolivia  is  in  need  of  radical  reorganization. 
Too  much  al  tent  ion  is  given  to  the  law  in  the  scheme  of  university 
teaching,  with  the  result  that  the  number  of  lawyers  produced  is 
out  of  all  proportion  to  the  needs  of  the  country.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  teaching  both  of  the  humanities  and  of  engineering  is  neglected 
or  altogether  omitted.  The  interests  of  the  country  would  be  far  bet- 
ter served  by  the  suppression  of  the  small  departmental  universities 
and  the  concentration  of  effort  on  the  Universities  of  Sucre  and  La 
Paz,  or  even  on  the  former  alone.  The  principal  obstacle  to  such  a 
change  is  the  highly  developed  particularism  of  the  different  local 
capitals.  With  a  single  university  a  better  quality  of  instruction 
and  superior  library  equipment,  now  so  lacking,  could  be  secured. 
Also,  the  teaching  of  applied  sciences  would  be  made  possible  by  the 
acquisition  of  the  necessary  laboratory  and  mechanical  equipment, 
since  the  funds  now  dissipated  among  a  number  of  small  institutions 
could  be  devoted  exclusively  to  the  outfitting  and  maintenance  of  a 
single  well-equipped  university. 

Many  Bolivians  go  abroad  to  study  in  the  universities  and  technical 
schools  of  the  United  States,  Europe,  and  Argentina.  Those  who 
go  to  the  United  States  generally  enter  schools  of  dentistry,  medicine, 
or  engineering.  These  men  carry  back  to  Bolivia  not  only  a  valuable 
special  training  but  the  broadening  influence  of  foreign  travel  and 
residence  as  well  as  a  strong  sympathy  for  the  country  where  they 
have  received  their  education. 

GENERAL  LITERARY  ACTIVITY. 

The  intellectual  activity  of  contemporary  Bolivia  has  resulted  in 
some  very  creditable  production.  Excellent  special  studies  have  been 
produced  by  members  of  the  Geographical  Societies  of  La  Paz  and 
Sucre,  and  similar  studies  also  appear  in  the  bulletins  of  the  Oficina 
Nacional  de  Estadistica,  or  National  Statistical  Office.  Bolivia's 
interest  in  boundary  problems  has  resulted  in  the  production  of  care- 
ful works  in  that  field,  notably  by  Eduardo  Diez  de  Medina  and 
Ricardo  Mujia.  The  numerous  geographical  and  scientific  writings 
of  Ballivian  compare  favorably  with  those  of  like  character  in  any 
South  American  country.  Numerous  books  on  public  questions 
have  appeared  that  are  of  more  than  temporary  value.  However, 
reliable  works  of  national  history  are  scarce,  though  the  "Histoids 
Financiers  de  Bolivia"  of  Casto  Rojas  and  a  detailed  study  (A'  the 
administration  of  Santa  Cruz  are  decidedly  above  the  average  of 
such  works.  The  sociological  study  of  Alcides  Arguedas,  "Pueblo 
Enfermo,"  though  altogether  too  pessimistic  a  picture  of  national 
life,  contains  some  perspicacious  observations.  •  Bautista  Saavedra's 
"El  A vllu"  is  a  thoughtful  study  of  Indian  life.  Less  can  be  said 
for  the  pure  literature  produced  in  Bolivia.  Excepl  for  the  rather 
melancholy  novels  of  Arguedas,  "Vida  Criolla"  and  "Raza  de 
Bronce,"  the  fiction  is  of  quite  ephemeral  interest.  Little  poetry 
or  drama  of  value  has  been  written  by  Bolivians. 

NEWSPAPER  PRESS. 

The  national  press  has  no!  kept  pace  with  the  progress  of  the  nation 
in  other  fields.      There  are  too  many   newspapers  in  each  city,  nio-t 

of  whose  inhabitants  can  not  read.     In  February,  L920,  there  were 


INTRODUCTION.  41 

six  dailies  in  La  Paz,  with  circulations  of  1,000  to  2,500.  At  the 
same  time  there  were  four  dailies  in  Cochabamba  for  a  population  of 
about  35,000  people,  two  in  Oruro,  three  in  Potosi,  and  four  in 
Sucre.  In  March  the  plant  of  one  of  the  best  dailies  in  La  Paz  was 
destroyed,  and  after  the  revolution  of  July  the  three  Liberal  organs 
suspended  publication.  Since  that  time,  ''La  Razon,"  the  Republi- 
can daily,  whose  plant  was  wrecked  in  March,  has  resumed  publica- 
tion. The  La  Paz  papers  contain  six  or  eight  pages  to  each  issue. 
Much  of  this  space  is  filled  with  the  chronicling  of  local  happenings 
that  are  really  of  small  importance  except  in  the  eyes  of  the  persons 
directly  concerned.  Much  of  it  is  taken  up  with  advertising  and  an- 
nouncements, but  first  place  is  generally  given  to  editorials  on  politi- 
cal questions.  For  these  dailies  are,  above  all,  political  pamphlets, 
which  defend  with  great  vigor  the  cause  of  one  or  the  other  of  the 
two  principal  parties.  Foreign  telegraphic  news  occupies  only  a 
small  place  and  is  usually  delayed  in  transit  or  relayed  from  Buenos 
Aires  or  some  other  neighboring  capital.  Some  good  writing  is  done 
in  these  journals.  Some  of  the  editors  are  men  of  real  ability,  but 
the  newspaper  business  is  in  need  of  radical  reorganization. 

RELIGION. 

According  to  the  Bolivian  constitution,  "  the  State  recognizes 
and  sustains  the  Catholic,  apostolic,  and  Roman  religion,  but  permits 
the  public  exercise  of  all  other  cults."  The  budget  of  1920  provided 
for  the  expenditure  of  116,740  bolivianos  for  the  State  church.  The 
lay  Government  is  represented  in  the  administration  of  the  National 
Church  by  the  Minister  of  Worship,  who  is  also  Minister  of  Foreign 
Affairs.  The  papal  authority  in  the  country  is  represented  by  an 
Internuncio,  and  the  head  of  the  national  hierarchy  is  the  Archbishop 
of  Charcas,  who  resides  at  Sucre.  There  are  bishops  at  La  Paz, 
Cochabamba,  and  Santa  Cruz.  The  total  number  of  secular  clergy 
in  Bolivia  is  about  570.  There  are  17  conventual  establishments, 
8  of  these  being  of  nuns  and  9  of  friars.  The  total  membership  of  the 
orders  is  about  510,  of  whom  280  are  nuns  and  230  friars. 

There  are  several  Franciscan  missions  in  the  Beni,  Santa  Cruz, 
and  the  Chaco.  These  missions  are  doing  an  excellent  work  in 
bringing  the  Indian  tribes  of  those  regions  under  the  influence  of 
civilization. 

The  religious  ministration  to  the  Indian  population  is  one  of  the 
most  difficult  problems  of  the  Church.  The  Indian  is  extremely 
superstitious,  and  beneath  his  Christianity  he  preserves  certain 
beliefs  and  observances  of  Incaic  times.  It  is  difficult  to  arouse  in 
him  any  spiritual  conception  of  religion.  His  persistence  in  the  use 
of  his  ancestral  tongue  is  another  barrier  to  the  efforts  to  inspire 
him  with  any  real  religious  feeling. 


CITIES  AND  TOWNS. 

LA  PAZ. 
SITUATION  AND  PLAN. 

La  Paz,  the  actual  seat  of  government  and  chief  commercial  city 
of  Bolivia,  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  Republic  and  near 
the  northern  end  of  the  great  Bolivian  table-land.  It  is  about  30 
miles  southeast  of  Lake  Titicaca,  279  miles  from  the  Pacific  coast 
at  Arica,  and  145  miles  north  of  Oruro,  the  principal  mining  city  of 
Bolivia.  The  city  lies  in  a  huge  basin  about  3  miles  across  and 
about  1,400  feet  below  the  "alto"  above,  where  the  plain  meets  the 
main  range  of  the  Andes.  The  only  natural  outlet  to  this  basin  is 
on  the  south  side,  where  the  small  River  Choqueyapu,  or  La  Paz, 
flows  out  through  a  rugged  gap  in  the  mountains  on  its  way  toward 
the  Beni  and  the  Amazon.  The  traveler  reaches  La  Paz  from  the 
west,  and  as  he  approaches  the  city  from  Viacha  across  the  barren 
pampa  of  the  plateau  he  sees  before  him  a  vista  of  mountain  scenery 
such  as  can  be  found  in  few  places  in  the  world.  A  number  of  moun- 
tain peaks  stand  out  above  the  great  mountain  mass  that  seems  to 
wall  in  the  east.  To  the  south  is  Illimani,  one  of  the  two  highest  of 
Bolivian  peaks,  which  is  plainly  visible  from  La  Paz;  directly  to  the 
east  is  the  truncated  form  of  Mururata;  and  to  the  northeast  is  the 
sharp  outline  of  Huayna  Potosi.  From  the  rim  of  the  vast  broken 
bowl  in  which  the  city  lies,  two  railway  lines  wind  down  to  the  sta- 
tions far  below.  The  shortest  road  down  into  the  city  is  by  the 
Guaqui  line's  road  from  the  Kenko  to  the  Central  Station,  but  the 
most  interesting  descent  is  by  the  Bolivia  Railway's  new  extension 
to  the  Chijini  Station.  A  much  traveled  road  used  by  llamas  and 
mules  and  passable  for  automobiles  leads  down  into  La  Paz  from  the 
Kenko.  Another  road  climbs  out  to  the  northeast  by  the  Chuquia- 
guillo  Valley  and  over  the  divide  into  the  Yungas.  The  Yimgas  Rail- 
way follows  this  road  over  the  pass,  enabling  people  who  leave  La  Paz 
in  the  morning  to  be  down  on  the  edge  of  the  Tropics  on  the  nighl 
of  the  same  day.  A  third  road  follows  the  river  down  the  canyon 
out  of  La  Paz  in  the  direction  of  Illimani.  This  road  passes  through 
the  pleasant  town  of  Obrajes,  which  is  situated  about  3  miles  below 
La  Paz  and  at  an  elevation  about  l.ooo  feet  lower.     The  two  places 

arc  connected  by  a  fair  automobile  road  and  by  ;i  street-car  line. 
Some  of  the  wealthier  people  of  La  Paz  have  homes  in  Obrajes, 
where  the  climate  is  superior  to  (hat  of  the  city  and  the  natural  sur- 
roundings are  more  attractive. 

There  is  little  level  ground  in  La  Paz,  and  the  streets  generally 
conform  their  direction  to  the  topography  rather  than  to  the  strut 
checkerboard  plan  of  most  Spanish  American  cities.  Their  grades 
are  often  verv  steep,  and  some  of  (he  streets  extend  well  up  the  wall 
of   the    ''alto!"      Most    of   the   streets   are    paved    with    rough    cobhle- 

Btones,  (hough  some  are  not  paved  at  all.     The  thoroughfares  best 

Suited  for  motor  traffic  are  the  Prado  and  the  Avenida  Monies.      The 

1 2 


CITIES   AND   TOWNS.  43 

Prado,  otherwise  known  as  the  Avenida  16  de  Octubre,  is  a  wide 
avenue  with  a  promenade  space  in  the  center  and  lined  with  eucalyp- 
tus trees.  It  connects  the  business  part  of  the  city  with  the  residential 
quarter  of  Sopocachi  and  is  itself  bordered  by  attractive  residences. 
One  fork  of  the  Prado  forms  the  San  Jorge  and  Obrajes  road. 

The  Plaza  Murillo  is  the  center  of  the  city's  life.  It  is  a  small  park 
set  with  trees  and  flower  beds.  Facing  it  are  the  National  Palace, 
the  Congress  Building,  the  unfinished  cathedral,  and  the  leading  hotel . 
and  club  of  La  Paz.  From  the  northwest  corner  of  the  plaza  start 
Calles  Comercio  and  Socabaya,  two  of  the  most  important  business 
streets  of  the  city.  Other  business  streets  are  Calle  Diez  de  Medina, 
which  is  lined  with  dry-goods  and  clothing  stores,  and  Calle  Recreo. 
The  latter  extends  from  the  Plaza  Venezuela,  at  the  end  of  the  Prado, 
to  the  Plaza  San  Francisco,  and  contains  a  number  of  important 
grocery  firms. 

ARCHITECTURE  AND  BUILDING. 

In  La  Paz,  as  in  other  Bolivian  cities  (though  to  a  greater  extent) , 
several  distinct  types  of  architecture  are  noticeable.  The  most  com- 
mon type  is  the  two-story,  plain-front  building  which  has  been  the 
prevailing  style  in  most  South  American  cities  until  recently. 
Though  this  class  of  building  generally  has  two  stories,  it  may  have 
one  or  three.  The  interior  rooms  in  these  houses  open  onto  a  patio 
or  interior  courtyard,  and  the  traditional  Spanish  "reja"  or  barred 
window  and  the  balcony,  often  glassed  in  to  serve  as  a  sun  parlor, 
still  persist.  The  outside  entrance  is  through  a  very  heavy  door 
with  an  old-fashioned  lock.  Houses  of  this  kind  are  built  up  to  the 
sidewalk  and  have  no  yard  in  the  rear,  the  more  protected  patio  serv- 
ing in  its  stead.  There  are  few  remnants  of  colonial  architecture,  of 
which  this  type  is  an  outgrowth,  left  in  La  Paz. 

A  different  style  of  building  has  come  into  vogue  in  La  Paz  during 
the  last  two  decades.  The  development  of  this  new  type  is  common 
to  contemporary  Latin  America  and  is  of  French  origin.  These 
houses  are  much  more  ornate  than  the  older  buildings  and  many  are 
of  very  attractive  design  and  exterior,  though  a  few  of  them  are  per- 
haps too  extravagant  and  bizarre  to  be  in  good  taste.  The  patio 
and  "reja"  tend  to  disappear,  though  the  balcony  is  usually  retained. 
An  interior  hall  is  substituted  for  the  more  spacious  patio,  but  in 
some  instances  highly  decorative  iron  grills  are  used  in  the  lower  win- 
dows. These  houses  seldom  abut  on  the  street,  but  a  space  is  left  in 
front,  in  which  flowers  and  shrubs  are  planted.  The  builder's  hard- 
ware used  in  the  construction  of  this  class  of  residences  is  of  the  most 
modern  kind.  The  tendency  is  away  from  the  severe  simplicity  of 
the  old  interiors  to  a  greater  effort  at  decoration.  Walls  and  ceilings 
are  papered,  or  tinted  and  stenciled  with  decorative  figures.  In- 
creasing attention  is  paid  to  comfort  as  well  as  to  appearance,  and 
there  is  a  growing  tendency  to  install  bathrooms,  with  modern  fix- 
tures, and  up-to-date  kitchens.  The  apartment-house  type  is  also 
now  beginning  to  appear  in  La  Paz.  Examples  of  the  best  residences 
of  this  type  are  the  houses  of  Rafael  Taborga  and  Benedicto  Goitia. 

Little  effort  is  made  to  heat  dwellings  or  offices  in  spite  of  the  cold 
nights  and  mornings  at  this  altitude.  People  dress  more  warmly  in- 
doors and  grow  accustomed  to  temperatures  that  persons  used  to 
steam  heat  would  consider  insufferable.     Whatever  heating  is  done 


44  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    [NDUSTEIAL    HANDBOOK. 

is  l>\  means  of  small  electric  healers.  Some  use  the  old-fashioned 
brasier,  and  a  few  open  fireplaces  have  been  installed  in  the  homes  of 
Americans.  The  cost  of  both  coal  and  wood  is  almost  prohibitive  for 
heating  purposes.     Kerosene  heaters  are  little  used. 

Though  plentiful,  stone  is  little  employed  in  building  in  La  Paz, 
except  in  some  public  buildings.  The  better  houses  arc  built  of  brick, 
which  is  often  faced  with  a  coating  of  plaster  or  stucco.  Much  con- 
struction, especially  of  the  more  ordinary  class  of  buildings,  is  done 
with  adobe  blocks  about  12  by  6  by  2  inches  in  size.  These  crude 
bricks  are  often  made  by  Indian  workmen  on  the  site  of  the  building 
and  are  consequently  very  cheap.  After  the  building  is  put  up,  a 
layer  of  muddy  plaster  is  daubed  over  the  outside.  The  better  grade 
of  bricks  used  are  burned  in  kilns  about  the  city,  for  which  the  peat 
found  near  the  Yungas  road  makes  excellent  fuel.  There  are  no 
wooden  buildings  in  La  Paz.  and  the  use  of  wood  in  construction  is 
reduced  to  a  minimum,  being  largely  limited  to  the  framework  of  the 
better  class  of  houses  and  to  flooring  and  lathing.  There  is  little 
hardwood  flooring,  though  considerable  pine  lumber  is  used.  Bricks 
and  figured  tiles  are  also  used  for  floors.  Though  red  tiles  have  been 
much  used  in  the  past  for  roofing,  this  class  of  roof  is  being  supplanted 
by  corrugated  galvanized  iron  sheets  (" calamina ") ,  as  a  glance  over 
the  city  will  show.  These  sheets  are  also  used  for  building  ware- 
houses and  some  kinds  of  temporary  structures.  Slate  is  used  on  a 
few  buildings,  and  a  locally  made  roofing  material  is  being  intro- 
duced. Though  thatch  is  the  favorite  covering  for  the  cheaper  class 
of  house,  its  use  is  forbidden  by  a  city  ordinance  because  of  its  in- 
flammability. Though  builders  have  begun  to  use  concrete  in  certain 
classes  of  construction,  iron  reinforcing  has  not  been  introduced. 

A  better  class  of  business  buildings  is  being  put  up  in  La  Paz. 
Among  such  structures  are  the  Taborga  Building  on  Calle  Socabaya, 
the  Saenz  Building  on  Calle  Comercio,  and  the  W.  R.  Grace  Building 
at  the  corner  of  Diez  de  Medina  and  Socabaya.  The  first  is  a  modern 
office  building  of  four  stories,  equipped  with  an  Otis  elevator.  The 
Saenz  Building  is  the  home  of  the  department  store  ''El  Louvre."' 
The  two-story  Grace  building  is  devoted  exclusively  to  the  operations 
of  this  company  and  is  built  in  the  same  general  style  as  the  rest  of 
its  larger  west-coast  branches.  The  most  pretentious  of  the  bank 
buildings  of  La  Paz  is  the  home  of  the  Banco  Mercantil.  The  most 
prominent  public  buildings  are  the  Palace  and  the  Congress  Building, 
the  Tribunales  de  Justicia,  or  Court  Building,  and  the  new  Aduana  or 
Customhouse  near  the  Challapampa  Station.  There  are  also  a  num- 
ber of  very  attractive  school  buildings. 

The  most  outstanding  examples  of  church  architecture  in  La  Paz 
are  San  Francisco,  noted  for  its  ornate  facade,  begun  in  1548;  San 
Sebastian,  begun  in  1570;  and  Santo  Domingo,  which  dates  from  1590. 
A  cathedral  is  under  process  of  construction  on  the  Plaza  Murillo. 
There  are  several  large  convents  in  the  city,  including  those  of  the 
Franciscan  friars  and  of  the  Sisters  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  or  Buen 
Pastor. 

w  \  i  i:i;  si  PPL1    IND  si.w  \<.i 

The  northern  section  of  La  Paz  derives  it-;  water  supply  from  the 

vicinity  of  Milluni,  which  lies  among  the  mountains  in  the  direction 
of  the  peak  of  Huayna  Potosi.      At  this  poini  a  mountain  stream  has 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  6.— OFFICE  BUILDING   IN    LA   PAZ. 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  7.— TYPE  OF   NEW    BUILDINGS   IN    LA   PAZ. 


—  - 


FIG.  8.— STREET   IN   SUCRE. 


CITIES   AND   TOWNS.  45 

been  dammed  and  a  pipe  led  from  the  reservoir  into  the  city.  The 
Sopocachi  district  of  the  city  is  supplied  from  Tembladerani.  .The 
water  supply  is  fairly  free  from  organic  contamination,  though  the 
source  of  supply  is  not  strictly  guarded  against  llamas  and  eattle. 
However,  the  water  suffers  from  inorganic  impurities  consisting  of 
certain  salts  washed  down  from  the  highly  mineralized  mountains 
down  which  the  streams  flow.  Moreover,  the  quantity  of  water  is 
not  sufficient  for  the  growing  needs  of  the  city. 

The  Ulen  Contracting  Corporation,  of  Chicago,  has  a  contract 
pending  with  the  Bolivian  Government  for  the  construction  of  a 
new  waterworks  system  for  La  Paz.  The  conclusion  of  this  contract 
largely  depends  on  the  reaching  of  an  agreement  by  the  two  parties 
concerned  as  to  the  type  of  system  to  be  used.  The  choice  lies 
between  sinking  artesian  wells  above  the  city  and  drawing  the  water 
supply  from  the  snow  line  of  the  near-by  mountains.  The  former 
plan  is  estimated  to  cost  about  $1,200,000  and  the  latter  about 
$2,000,000.  However,  it  is  highly  doubtful,  whether  sufficient  water 
for  the  city's  needs  could  be  obtained  from  artesian  wells,  whereas 
tapping  the  edge  of  the  snow  beds  would  insure  an  ample  supply  of 
pure  water  for  any  contingency. 

On  March  17,  1920,  a  contract  was  signed  between  this  same  com- 
pany and  the  Bolivian  Government  for  the  laying  of  a  system  of 
sewers  for  the  city,  to  take  the  place  of  and  supplement  the  present 
inadequate  sewage  facilities.  The  plans  provide  for  the  laying  of 
about  57,450  meters  (188,484  feet)  of  sewers,  the  cost  of  which  will 
amount  to  about  $1,200,000.  Two  laws  passed  in  January,  1920, 
provided  certain  special  taxes  for  meeting  the  amortization  and 
annual  service  on  the  bonds,  which  are  to  be  issued  to  meet  the 
expense  of  this  work. 

ELECTRIC  LIGHT  AND  POWER. 

Electric  lighting  in  La  Paz  dates  from  1888.  Electric  light  and 
power  is  furnished  by  the  Bolivian  General  Enterprise  (Ltd.),  a 
French  concern,  which  is  controlled  by  the  great  firm  of  Schneider- 
Creusot.  Power  is  derived  from  the  river, which  flows  through  the 
city,  the  power  house  being  located  some  distance  above  La  Paz. 
Current  is  sold  at  60  centavos  per  kilowatt  for  light  and  30  centavos 
for  heating  purposes.  Power  is  sold  for  industrial  purposes  at  the 
rate  of  30  centavos  per  kilowatt  for  the  first  34  kilowatts  taken,  at 
20  centavos  for  the  following  50  kilowatts,  and  at  10  centavos  for 
all  quantities  over  84  kilowatts. 

STREET  RAILWAYS. 

The  city  street  car  system  is  operated  by  the  same  company  that 
supplies  La  Paz  with  electricity.  The  city  is  well  covered  by  the 
different  lines  of  the  company.  One  of  these  runs  from  the  Chijini 
and  Challapampa  stations  in  the  north  end  of  town  through  the 
business  district  and  thence  by  the  Prado  and  Avenida  Arce  to  San 
Jorge  and  Obrajes.  .  Another  line  branches  off  from  this  route  into 
the  residential  section  of  Sopocachi,  and  others  lead  to  the  Miraflores 
quarter  or  climb  up  through  the  northwestern  part  of  the  city  to  the 
cemetery.  The  trams  used  are  small  American  cars.  The  second- 
class  fare  within  the  city  limits  is  10  centavos,  and  the  first-class  fare 


46  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMEBCIAL   AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

is  20  centavos.     In  spite  of  complaints  to  the  contrary,  the  service 
is  fairly  satisfactory. 

TELEPHONES. 

The  La  Paz  telephone  system  is  also  owned  by  the  Bolivian  Gen- 
eral Enterprise.     The  telephones  used  are  Largely  of  French  make. 

POLICE. 

The  preservation  of  order,  which,  in  ordinary  times,  presents  no 
serious  problems,  is  in  the  hands  of  a  body  of  men  known  as  the 
"policia  de  seguridad."  In  addition  to  the  regular  municipal  police 
force,  there  is  a  gendarmerie  or  body  of  mounted  carbineers,  whose 
field  of  action  also  includes  the  country  around  the  city. 

KIKE  PROTECTION. 

As  the  construction  materials  employed  in  La  Paz  are  noninnam- 
mable,  firerisks  give  little  concern  to  property  owners  or  the  municipal 
government.  There  is  no  public  fire  department,  but,  as  is  usual 
on  the  west  coast,  the  business  of  fighting  fires  is  left  to  local  "cuerpos 
de  bomberos,"  which  are  private  organizations.  None  of  these 
companies  are  equipped  with  modern  apparatus,  and  there  are, 
moreover,  no  high-pressure  fire  mains  in  the  city. 

A  local  insurance  company,  known  as  the  Compania  Nacional  de 
Seguros,  began  operations  in  1918.  The  directors  include  some  of  the 
most  prominent  men  in  the  country,  among  them  being  Jacob 
Backus,  the  general  manager  of  the  Bolivia  Railway,  and  Carlos 
Calvo,  the  prominent  lawyer  and  man  of  affairs.  More  than  half  of 
the  stock  is  held  by  two  foreign  insurance  companies,  the  Compafilas 
Unidas  de  Seguros,  of  Lima,  and  the  Compania  Intemacional  de 
Seguros,  of  Panama.  The  company  is  capitalized  at  200,000  bolivi- 
anos. The  reserve  fund  amounted  at  the  .end  of  1919  to  57,007 
bolivianos,  and  net  profits  in  1919  were  50,000  bolivianos.  Premiums 
paid  in  1919  amounted  to  179,579  bolivianos. 

MARKETS. 

Though  the  public  markets  of  La  Paz  are  among  the  moat  pictur- 
esque in  the  world,  they  are  neither  modern  nor  sanitary.  The  central 
market  is  located  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  where  it  occupies  almost 
an  entire  Mock.  Most  of  this  space  is  covered,  to  protect  the  booths 
from  the  weather,  and  the  interior  of  the  place  is  dirty  and  gloomy. 
A  large  number  of  "cholas"  keep  stalls,   where  they  sell  everything 

from  meat  to  curios  -including  cheap  cotton  and  "bayeta"  cloth. 
fruit  and  vegetables,  blankets  and  ponchos,  and  cheap  hardware  and 
notions.  A  short  distance  away  on  Calle  Recreo  there  is  a  fruit, 
vegetable,  and  flower  market.  On  the  Plaza  San  Francisco  is  another 
market,  where  scores  of  women  sit  in  rows  on  the  ground  before 
small  piles  of  vegetable's  or  other  goods  that  constitute  their  meager 
stock  in  trade.  On  one  side  of  this  square  is  a  closed  market.  The 
most   interesting  market  is  the  open-air  fair  held  every  Sunday  in 

tins  plaza  and  extending  mosl  of  the  length  of  Calle  Kecivo  and  up 
several  of  the  cross  Streets.  Hundreds  of  Indians  and  "cholas'' 
come  into  the  city  at  the  end  of  the  week  with  burros  laden  with 
products  of  the  surrounding  valleys.  On  Sunday  morning  they  take 
their  place-  along  the  curb  of  the  different  streets  winch  are  set  apart 


CITIES    AND    TOWNS.  47 

by  the  municipal  authorities  for  this  purpose.  From  8  o'clock  until 
noon  these  streets  form  a  scene  of  the  greatest  animation,  and,  with 
the  highly  colored  shawls  and  ponchos  of  the  natives,  this  probably 
constitutes  the  most  colorful  scene  in  South  America. 

BANKS. 

All  the  general  Bolivian  banks  have  establishments  in  La  Paz, 
including  the  home  office  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  Boliviana,  the 
Banco  Nacional  de  Bolivia,  and  the  Banco  Mercantil.  There  is  also 
a  branch  of  the  Banco  Aleman  Transatlantic©,  and  there  are  several 
large  commercial  houses  which  do  a  private  banking  business, 
including  W.  R.  Grace  &  Co.  and  Denniston  &  Co.  The  mortgage 
bank,  known  as  the  Credito  Hipotecario,  is  located  in  La  Paz. 

HOTELS  AND  CLUBS. 

The  best  hotel  in  La  Paz,  and  the  one  almost  exclusively  patronized 
by  foreign  tourists  and  traveling  men,  is  the  Paris.  This  hotel  is 
situated  on  the  Plaza  Murillo  and  contains  about  50  rooms.  Rates 
are  about  12  bolivianos  a  day,  American  plan.  The  rooms  are  well 
furnished  and  quite  comfortable  and  have  running  water  connections. 
However,  ■  baths  are  separate.  For  an  additional  charge,  electric 
heaters  can  be  used  in  the  rooms  until  10  p.  m.  The  food,  though 
sufficient  in  quantity,  shares  in  the  general  inferiority  of  the  Bolivian 
cuisine.  Another  hotel  is  the  Central,  formerly  the  well-known 
Guibert.  Mrs.  Murray's  large  pension  on  the  Prado  furnishes  good 
boarding-house  accommodations  at  very  reasonable  rates  to  those 
who  intend  to  make  a  long  stay  in  the  city. 

There  are  no  restaurants  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  word,  and  such 
an  institution  is  greatly  needed  to  meet  a  real  demand  among  for- 
eigners and  natives  alike.  A  certain  cafe-bar  on  the  main  plaza  is 
much  frequented  by  foreigners,' and  the  Confiteria  Paris,  a  popular 
rendezvous  at  tea  time  and  after  the  theater,  is  one  of  the  best  of  its 
kind  on  the  west  coast. 

The  principal  club  of  the  city  is  the  La  Paz  Club,  which  includes  in 
its  membership  most  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  town.  The 
National  Club  largely  drew  its  members  from  among  the  younger  set 
of  La  Paz.  An  Anglo-American  Club  is  now  being  organized  to  serve 
as  a  meeting  place  for  the  English-speaking  community  and  out-of- 
town  visitors  from  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States. 

THEATERS  AND  OTHER  AMUSEMENTS. 

The  largest  theater  in  La  Paz  is  the  Municipal,  in  which  a  season  of 
light  opera  is  held  every  year.  The  two  other  most  important 
theaters  are  the  Princesa  and  the  Paris,  which  are  devoted  to  vaude- 
ville, motion  pictures,  and  comedy.  The  capacity  of  both  theaters 
is  small,  each  one  holding  only  a  few  hundred  people.  The  motion- 
picture  films  exhibited  are  largely  of  American  production,  though 
they  are  often  well  aged  before  they  reach  La  Paz.  There  are  also 
picture  theaters  in  the  following  cities:  Cochabamba  (2),  Oruro  (3), 
Potosi  (1),  Sucre  (2),  and  Uyuni  (1).  The  cold  nights  in  La  Paz 
prevent  the  fullest  enjoyment  of  attendance  at  the  theaters,  which 
are  unheated,  even  during  the  winter. 


48 


BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 


Among  outdoor  diversions  in  La  Paz  arc  golf  and  tennis.  There 
is  a  golf  club  with  links  on  the  "alto"  above  the  city,  and  there  are 
several  tennis  courts.     Among  the  natives  considerable  interesl  has 

been  developed  in  association  football.     On  July    I.   L920,  the  first 
baseball  game  in  Bolivia  was  played  in  La  Paz  between  two  teams 

picked  from  the  American  colony.  A  full  outfit  was  later  presented 
to  the  soldiers  of  the  local  garrison  in  the  hope  thai  the  natives 
would  be  aroused  to  take  up  the  game.  Those  for  whom  bad  roi 
have  no  terror  may  derive  some  pleasure  from  motoring  about  La 
Paz.  There  is  one  stretch  of  good  road,  a  few  miles  long,  from  La 
Paz  down  the  canyon  through  Obrajes,  and  motorists  can  drive  as 
far  as  Lake  Titicaca  or  Sorata  during:  the  dry  season. 


COST  OF  LIVING. 


The  increase  in  the  cost  of  living  between  1014  and  1020  is  illus- 
trated by  the  following  scale  of  prices  for  some  essential  items: 


Item-;. 


Two  rooms  and  oath  (furnished). 
Small  apartment  (furnished 
Six  to  eight  room  house  (unfur- 
nished i 

Eight  to  ten  room  house  (unfur- 
led)   

Sard  coal short  tons. 

Wood KM)  pounds. 

pair. 

Cnderwear suit. 

Shirts each . 


1914 

1920 

Bolivi- 

Bolivi- 

anos. 

anos. 

80. 00 

17.",.  (HI 

100.00 

225. 00 

lfio.oo 

200.00 

200.00 

300.00 

180.00 

300.  00 

2.  50 

3.  80 

20.00 

35.00 

10.00 

15.00 

6.00 

12.00 

1 

Items. 


Suil  iugs yards 

Bread pound 

Butter .do. 

Cheese 

Eggs 

Fish,  preserved pound 

Fruit , fresh do. . 

Meat,  fresh do.. 

Milk,  unskimmed quart 

Potatoes pound 

Hire do.. 


urn 


1920 


Bolivi- 

Bolivi- 

anos. 

anos. 

is.  00 

35.00 

.20 

.30 

3.50 

2.  (HI 

3.00 

.so 

1.80 

.50 

2.  (HI 

.  in 

.50 

.30 

.7o 

.30 

.  Hi 

.  10 

.LO 

The  following  budgets  (in  {'.  S.  currency)  for  a  year's  expenses. 
based  on  American  standards  of  living,  were  prepared  by  the  Ameri- 
can consul  in  La  Paz  in  L920: 


Renl 
Pood.. 

Light 

Beat 

Laundry. . . 
Clothu 


Single 

man. 


■1,300 

300 

7.', 

(in 


Man, 
wife,  and 
two  ellil- 

dren. 


2  > 

100 
150 
200 
150 

111  m 


[terns. 


Insurance 

Medical  and  dental  attention 

i  tation 

Social  requirements 

Recreation 

Total 


Single 
man. 


150 
300 


3,815 


M      . 

«  il    .  and 
1  wo  chil- 
dren. 


$2. "J  I 

300 
250 

.-.in  i 
500 


KHl 


COCHABAMBA. 

The  city  of  Cochabamba  is  situated  on  a  plain  thai  was  formerly 
the  bed  oi  a  lake,  from  which  theQuechua  name  of  the  city  Is  derived. 
h  lies  at  a  distance  of  about   i  miles  from  the  range  of  the  Cordillera 

Oriental  to  the  north.  The  Rio  Rocha,  which  for  most  of  the  veal- 
is  but  a  si  i  in  II  creek.  How  s  1 1 1  rough  t  he  city,  dividing  the  main  port  ion 
of  the  town  from  a  pleasant  suburb  on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 

1  low  ever,  during  t  he  rainy  season  t  he  st  ream  assumes  t  he  proport  ions 


CITIES   AND   TOWNS.  49 

of  a  river,  so  that  the  city  has  had  to  be  protected  by  dikes  from  inun- 
dation. The  altitude  of  Cochabamba  is  about  8,446  feet  above 
the  sea. 

Because  of  Cochabamba's  relatively  low  altitude,  its  climate  is 
very  pleasant  throughout  the  year,  as  there  are  no  extremes  of  either 
heat  or  cold.  The  summer,  or  time  of  highest  temperatures,  which 
includes  the  months  from  November  to  March,  is  also  the  rainy  season. 
The  season  of  lowest  temperatures  extends  from  June  through  August, 
and  is  also  the  dry  season. 

The  water  supply  for  the  city  comes  from  lagoons  located  at 
Arocagua,  a  few  miles  from  the  city  limits.  Not  only  is  the  quantity 
insufficient,  but  the  quality  is  poor.  A  contract  is  now  under  con- 
sideration for  the  construction  of  a  new  waterworks  system  by  the 
Ulen  Contracting  Corporation,  which  has  recently  obtained  a  con- 
tract for  constructing  a  sewage  system  for  the  city.  At  present 
many  of  the  streets  of  the  city  serve  as  open  sewers,  to  the  detriment 
not  only  of  the  appearance  of  the  place  but  also  of  the  health  of  the 
inhabitants.  The  cost  of  the  new  system  of  sewers,  the  contract  for 
which  was  signed  on  March  17,  1920,  will  be  about  $1,000,000.  About 
49,470  meters  of  pipe  will  be  laid. 

Cochabamba,  which  is  the  second  city  in  Bolivia,  has  a  population 
of  about  35,000  people.  It  is  the  only  city  in  Bolivia  that  has  a  con- 
siderable number  of  large  tributary  towns  within  a  short  radius 
around  the  city.  Three  wide  valleys  radiate  in  different  directions 
from  Cochabamba — that  of  Quillacollo  to  the  west,  Sacaba  to  the 
northeast,  and  the  rich  valley  of  Punata,  which  is  followed  to  its 
termination  at  Arani  by  a  narrow-gauge  railway.  There  are  several 
towns  in  these  valleys  with  populations  from  1,000  to  8,000,  includ- 
ing Tarata  and  Cliza,  in  addition  to  the  four  towns  named  above. 
However,  the  backward  appearance  of  most  of  these  towns  does  not 
accord  with  the  natural  wealth  of  the  surrounding  country .  In  spite 
of  the  impulse  given  to  its  development  by  the  opening  of  the  railway 
from  Oruro,  there  has  been  little  change  in  the  aspect  of  Cochabamba 
itself,  and  most  of  the  buildings  are  old.  However,  some  modern 
construction  is  now  under  way.  The  life  of  the  city  revolves  about 
the  central  plaza,  which  is  surrounded  by  long  colonnaded  buildings, 
including  the  offices  of  the  prefecture  and  the  municipality. 

Electric  light  and  powTer  is  furnished  the  city  by  the  Empresa  Luz 
y  Fuerza  Electrica,  which  also  operates  the  railway  lines  to  Vinto 
and  Arani.  The  same  company  owns  the  local  tramway  system. 
The  income  from  the  sale  of  electric  current  during  1919  amounted  to 
110,122  bolivianos,  and  from  the  tramway  service  to  59,119  bolivianos. 
The  cost  of  electricity  in  Cochabamba  is  less  than  in  any  other  city 
in  Bolivia.  The  net  profits  from  these  and  other  minor  interests  of 
the  company  amounted  to  96,344  bolivianos  in  1919.  Telephone 
service  is  supplied  by  a  local  concern,  known  as  the  Empresa  de 
Telefonos,  Sucesores  de  N.  Pena. 

The  large  public  market  is  among  the  most  insanitary  in  Bolivia. 
Between  800  and  1,000  women  conduct  stalls  in  the  market.  No 
effort  is  made  to  protect  meat  or  vegetables  from  contamination,  and 
the'  municipality  declares  that  its  finances  are  inadequate  for  the 
construction  of  a  new  and  sanitary  market. 

44462°— 21 — -4 


50  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    BANDBOOK 

The  banks  maintaining  branches  in  Cochabamba  are  the  Banco  de 
La  Nacion,  the  Banco  Nacional,  and  the  Banco  Mercantil.  The  last- 
named  bank  has  a  new  building  in  course  of  construction. 

The  best  hotel  in  Cochabamba  is  the  Majestic.  Both  rooms  and 
food  are  very  good.  The  rate  is  10  bolivianos  a  day,  American  plan. 
Other  hotels  are  the  Union  and  the  Hispano-Americano. 

ORURO. 

The  city  of  Oruro  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  a  series  of  low  mountains 
about  2,000  feet  high.  From  the  opposite  side  of  the  city  a  level 
plain  stretches  away  to  another  range  of  mountains  about  5  miles 
distant.  The  altitude  of  the  city  is  about  12,122  feet  above  sea  level. 
The  population  of  Oruro  is  variously  estimated  at  25,000  to  30,000, 
thus  making  it  probably  the  third  city  of  Bolivia  in  size. 

The  appearance  of  the  city  partakes  largely  of  the  desolate  char- 
acter of  its  surroundings,  though  much  has  been  done  during  the 
past  few  years  to  improve  it.  Streets  have  been  paved  (though  with 
rough  cobblestone),  some  good  sidewalks  have  been  put  in,  the  two 
principal  plazas  have  been  improved  and  hardy  trees  have  been 
planted  in  them,  and  some  very  creditable  buildings  have  been  con- 
structed. Among  the  latter  are  the  new  post  office,  the  Patifio 
Building,  the  new  home  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion,  and  an  attractive 
motion-picture  theater.  The  city  suffers  from  the  lack  of  adequate 
sewage  facilities,  the  streets  being  used  for  that  purpose  in  some  pa  its 
of  the  town,  but  a  contract  is  now  under  consideration,  with  the 
same  American  company  that  holds  similar  contracts  in  La  Paz  and 
Cochabamba,  for  the  installation  of  a  modern  sewage  system  at  a 
cost  of  $1,000,000. 

Oruro  is  supplied  with  water  from  a  stream  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  valley  at  a  place  known  as  Calacala.  Though  this  water  supply  is 
of  very  fair  quality,  the  quantity  is  insufficient  for  the  industrial  needs 
of  the  city.  Electric  light  is  furnished  by  the  Empresa  de  Luz  y 
Fuerza  Electrica  de  Oruro,  which  is  controlled  by  the  German  hard- 
ware firm  of  Gustavo  Hinke  &  Co.  One  of  the  mining  companies 
operating  in  the  hills  on  the  edge  of  the  city  also  sells  electric  current 
to  the  public.  The  local  telephone  service  is  owned  by  a  concern 
known  as  the  Empresa  de  Telefonos  N.  Pefia. 

The  principal  office  of  the  Banco  Mercantil,  of  Simon  Patifio,  is 
located  at  Oruro.  Other  banks  maintaining  branches  at  Oruro  are 
the,  Banco  de  la  Nacion,  the  Banco  Nacional,  and  the  Banco  Aleman 
Transal  Lanl  Leo. 

The  Eden  Hotel  offers  fairly  good  service  at  10  bolivianos  a  day. 
Other  hotels  are  the  Union,  the  Quintanal,  and  the  Aleman. 

SUCRE. 

The  city  of  Sucre  is  situated  in  a  pocket  in  the  mountains  ol'Chu- 
quisaca,  at  an  altitude  of  about  9,338  feet  aUre  the  sea,  thus  possess- 
ing a  climate  that  is  exceptionally  mild  and  pleasant  throughout  the 
year.  The  annual  rainfall  amounts  to  30  to  36  inches,  nearly  ah  of 
which    takes  place   between    December  and  April. 

The  population  of  Sucre  is  between  '20, 000  and  24,000.  A  number 
of  wealthy  families,  whose  fortunes  were  made  in  mining  and  bank- 


CITIES   AND   TOWNS.  51 

ing,  live  here,  the  founders  having  come  to  Sucre  from  other  parts  of 
the  country  because  of  the  superior  climatic  and  other  conditions 
which  characterize  the  place.  They  constitute  a  cultured  and  re- 
fined aristocracy,  most  of  whose  members  have  traveled  beyond  the 
confines  of  Bolivia  and  have  brought  back  from  abroad  certain  cos- 
mopolitan tastes  and  ways.  Both  men  and  women  are  the  best- 
dressed  people  of  their  social  rank  in  all  Bolivia.  ,  The  rest  of  the 
population  is  largely  composed  of  the  usual  proportion  of  cholos  and 
Indians  found  in  a  Bolivian  city.  Quechua  is  the  customary  lan- 
guage of  intercourse  of -the  lower  classes. 

Sucre  is  the  capital  of  the  department  of  Chuquisaca,  authority 
being- exercised  by  a  prefect,  appointed  from  La  Paz.  Formerly  this 
city  was  the  capital  of  the  Republic,  but  since  1900  La  Paz  has  been 
the  de  facto  capital.  However,  the  Sucrenses  still  consider  their 
city  the  legitimate  capital  and  refer  to  La  Paz  as  the  "seat  of  govern- 
ment." The  removal  of  the  capital  to  La  Paz  has  naturally  had  a 
depressing  effect  on  the  business  situation  of  Sucre.  A  pretentious 
but  unfinished  capitol  building  still  stands  as  a  monument  to  the 
aspirations  of  its  inhabitants.  The  city  has  remained  the  seat  of 
the  Supreme  Court  and  of  the  archbishopric. 

A  sufficient  supply  of  good  water  is  furnished  the  city  from  the 
locality  of  Cajamarca,  a  few  miles  from  Sucre.  Electric  light  and 
power  is  supplied  by  the  Empresa  de  Luz  y  Fuerza  Electrica  de 
Sucre,  and  the  present  plant  of  this  company,  which  has  paid  divi- 
dends of  12  per  cent  to  its  shareholders,  has  a  capacity  of  115  horse- 
power. A  new  company  was  organized  in  1920  as  its  successor, 
known  as  the  Sociedad  Industrial  de  Electricidad,  and  the  plant, 
which  is  to  have  a  capacity  of  400  horsepower,  is  to  be  located  at 
Tuma  on  the  Rio  Cachimayo,  about  6  miles  outside  of  Sucre.  The 
nominal  capital  amounts  to  1,000,000  bolivianos,  of  which  875,000 
bolivianos  had  been  paid  up  in  July,  1920.  The  equipment  ordered 
for  the  new  plant  is  of  American  manufacture.  The  public  telephone 
service  of  Sucre  is  operated  by  a  local  company. 

The  central  bank  of  the  Banco  Nacional  de  Bolivia,  with  which 
the  Banco  Francisco  Argandona  was  recently  amalgamated,  is  located 
in  Sucre.  There  are  also  branches  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion,  the 
Banco  Mercantil,  and  the  Banco  Hipotecario. 

The  principal  hotel  is  the  Colon,  which  gives  fair  service  for  the  small 
sum  of  6  bolivianos  a  day,  American  plan.  The  Hispano-Americano 
is  another  hotel.  The  Club  de  la  Union  is  one  of  the  best-appointed 
clubs  in  Bolivia. 

POTOSI. 

The  historic  city  of  Potosi,  known  in  colonial  times  as  "the  Impe- 
rial City,"  is  located  in  a  pocket  in  the  mountains  at  the  foot  of  the 
famous  Cerro,  whose  mineral  wealth  led  to  the  foundation  of  the  city. 
Potosi  is  the  highest  city  in  Bolivia,  being  situated  at  an  altitude  of 
13,612  feet  above  the  sea,  while  the  Cerro  rises  about  2,000  feet  higher. 
The  city  was  founded  by  the  Spaniards  in  about  1545,  and  during 
the  height  of  the  mining  boom  had  a  population  of  more  than  160,000 
people.  The  city  now  numbers  between  27,000  and  30,000  inhabi- 
tants, of  whom  the  large  majority  are  Indians  and  "cholos." 

The  city  has  preserved  much  of  the  aspect  of  colonial  times.  It  has 
some  notable  churches  and  the  famous  Casa  de  Moneda,  or  mint,  is 


52  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

still  Standing.  Most  of  the  houses  arc  built  of  brick  coated  with 
plaster,  though  the  poorer  houses  arc  constructed  of  adobe,  with  a 
t li in  layer  of  plaster  on  the  outside.  Barred  windows  and  balconies 
and  interior  courtyards,  often  of  great  antiquity,  arc  common  fea- 
tures of  architecture.  The  streets  are  narrow  and  crooked  and  paved 
with  cobblestones.  Sanitary  conditions  are  had,  though  favored  to 
some  extent  by  the  good  natural  drainage  of  the  site.  The  water 
supply  comes  from  a  system  of  21  old  lagoons  constructed  by  the 
Spaniards  above  the  city,  with  a  total  capacity  of  5,672,500  cubic 
meters  of  water.  The  capacity  of  these  reservoirs  is  to  he  increased 
shortly,  upon  the  carrying  out  of  plans  for  a  system  of  sanitary 
works  in  Potosi,  as  in  other  Bolivian  cities.  Light  and  power  are 
supplied  to  the  city  by  the  Empresa  Luz  y  Fuerza  E16ctrica,  con- 
trolled by  Rodriguez  &Cia.  The  hydroelectric  plant  is  located  about 
6  miles  from  the  city,  where  a  stream  has  been  dammed  i<>  form  a 
small  lake. 

Three  banks  serve  the  city — branches  of  the  Banco  de  la  Xacidn 
Boliviana,  the  Banco  Nacional  de  Bolivia,  and  the  Banco  Merc,-, mil. 

The  two  principal  hotels  are  the  Splendid  and  the  Paris,  rates  being 
only  5  bolivianos  a  day,  with  service  and  accommodations  in  accord- 
ance. 

SANTA  CRUZ. 

The  city  of  Santa  Cruz,  which  was  founded  in  1560,  is  situated  in 
the  heart  of  eastern  Bolivia,  about  35(1  miles  cast  of  the  railhead  at 
Cochabamba  and  about  450  miles  from  the  Paraguay  River  to  the 
east.  It  lies  about  3  kilometers  (nearly  2  miles)  from  the  Rio  Pirai, 
at  an  altitude  of  about  1,380  feet  above  sea  level.  It  is  located  in 
the  midst  of  a  great  plain  across  which  a  network  of  roads  leads  in 
every  direction.  Most  of  the  construction  is  of  plaster  and  wood, 
and  the  houses  generally  have  porticoes  in  front  for  protection  agajnsl 
the  heat.  The  streets  are  unpaved  and  are  deep  in  sand  when  they 
are  not  flooded  by  the  torrential  rains  that  fall  during  the  summer. 
Kerosene  lanterns  arc  used  for  lighting.  The  water  supply  is  ob- 
tained from  about  10  semiarlesian  wells. 

The  Banco  de  la  Xacidn  Bolivians  has  a  branch  in  Santa  Cruz. 
The  best  hotel  is  the  Comercio,  which  is  situated  on  the  main  plaza 
and  near  the  prefecture.  In  1900  Santa  Cruz  had  a  population  of 
18,335  and  at  present  probably  has  20,000.  An  unusually  large  pro- 
portion of  the  people  are  of  the  white  race,  and  theCrucefios  are  noted 
throughout    Bolivia    for   their   hospitality    and    courtesy  I  o  st  rangers. 

Once  t  he  resources  of  the  surrounding  region  can  be  developed,  Santa 

('in/,  is  undoubtedly  destined  to  be  one  of  the  foremosl  inland  cities 
in  all  South  America. 

TARIJA. 

Tarija,  which  was  founded  in  157  1.  is  situated  in  a  plain  among 
the  mountains  of  southern  Bolivia.     It  lies  about  85  miles  cast  of 

Tupiza  on  the  road  from  La  Paz  h;    [Jyuni  into  Argentina  and  about 
45  miles  north  of  the  Argentine  frontier.      The  city   is  located  at   an 
altitude  of  about  6,500  feet  above  sea  level,  and  is  built  on  the  banks 
of  the  Rio  Grande  de  Tarija,  a  branch  of  the  Bermejo. 
The  population  of  Tarija  is  between  9,000  and  10,000.     There  are 

branches  of   the    Iianco  de   la    Xacidn,    the    Banco    Xacional.    and    the 

Banco  Mercant  il. 


CTTIES    AND    TOWNS.  53 

UYUNI. 

The  important  trading  and  railway  center  of  Uyuni  is  situated  near 
the  southern  end  of  the  great  Bolivian  Plateau,  at  an  altitude  of  about 
11,972  feet  above  the  sea,  It  lies  almost  midway  between  Antofa- 
gasta  and  La  Paz,  being  at  a  distance  of  617  kilometers  (383  miles) 
from  the  former  and  556  kilometers  (345  miles)  from  La  Paz.  It  is 
the  seat  of  the  subprefecture  of  the  Province  of  Porco  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Potosi.  The  surrounding  country  is  an  almost  complete 
desert,  the  only  vegetation  being  a  scant  scrub  growth.  There  is  no 
vegetation  whatever  in  the  town  of  Uyuni,  and  the  appearance  of 
the  place,  which  consists  of  rows  of  one-story  houses,  bordering  very 
wide,  sandy  streets,  is  desolate  and  unattractive  in  the  extreme. 
Uyuni  has  the  most  rigorous  climate  in  Bolivia,  and  one  who  has 
experienced  the  Siberian  cold  of  a  winter  night  in  this  town  can 
never  forget  the  experience. 

The  population  of  the  town  is  between  3,000  and  3,500,  probably 
less  than  that  of  the  near-by  mining  camp  of  Huanchaca-Pulacayo. 
About  10  per  cent  of  the  population  is  white,  and  the  remainder  are 
"cholos,"  comprising  all  degrees  of  mixture  of  Indian  and  white. 

There  are  branches  of  both  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  and  the  Banco 
Nacional.  The  best  hotel  in  the  town  is  the  Uyuni,  which  is  situated 
near  the  railway  station.  Rates  are  very  moderate — 6  bolivianos  a 
day — and  the  service  is  fairly  satisfactory,  though  the  guest  may 
sometimes  have  to  dine  muffled  to  his  ears  in  an  overcoat. 

OTHER  TOWNS. 

Large  towns  have  grown  up  about  some  of  the  chief  mining  centers, 
such  as  Uncia,  Llallagua,  Corocoro,  Pulacayo,  and  Colquechaca. 
Some  of  these  have  several  thousand  inhabitants.  Others,  like 
Viacha  and  Guaqui,  have  developed  at  railway  junction  points. 
Some  of  the  large  Indian  towns  of  the  "altiplano,"  such  as  Sicasica 
and  Charana,  are  places  of  utter  dreariness.  The  Yungas  towns  are 
small  and  backward  in  appearance,  but  picturesquely  situated  and 
enjoy  a  fine  climate.  They  are  usually  built  high  up  on  the  mountain 
sides  or  in  some  cases  on  the  very  crest  of  the  mountains.  There  are 
few  accommodations  for  travelers,  as  is  the  case  in  nearly  all  the 
small  towns  of  Bolivia.  The  most  important  towns  of  the  Yungas 
are  Chulumani,  with  about  2,500  inhabitants ;  Coroico,  1,800 ;  Coripata, 
800;  and  Irupana,  700.  Other  towns  are  Yanacachi,  Villa  Aspiazu, 
Chirca,  and  Pacallo.  These  are  pleasant  villages,  set  high  up  on  the 
mountain  sides,  among  orange  groves  and  coca  fields,  and  inhabited 
by  a  hospitable  and  kindly  people. 

The  most  important  towns  in  the  Amazonian  region  of  Bolivia  are 
as  follows : 

Riberalta. — This  town  is  situated  on  a  prominence,  about  30  meters 
above  the  ordinary  level  of  the  rivers,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Madre 
de  Dios  and  the  Beni.  It  is  the  most  important  trading  center  of 
the  Beni  and  has  a  population  of  between  3,500  and  4,000  people. 
It  is  a  comparatively  new  town,  having  been  founded  in  the  eighties 
of  the  last  century.  The  town  has  a  branch  of  the  Banco  de  la 
Nacion  and  an  important  wireless  station. 

Villa  Bella. — Villa  Bella  is  situated  at  the  confluence  of  the  Beni 
and  the  Mamore,  but  is  cut  off  from  the  upper  course  of  these  rivers 


54  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    [NDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

by  rapids  or  "  cachuelas."  It  lies  about    L25  miles  from   Riberalta. 

The  population  of  the  town  is  between  1,500  and  2.000. 

Trni idiul.  This  town  is  the  capital  of  the  Department  of  E]  Bcni 
and  has  a  population  of  about  4,000  people.  The  place  was  founded 
in  1502  and  was  formerly  of  much  more  importance  than  at  present. 
It  lies  about  0  miles  from  the  Mamore,  hut  it  is  proposed  to  dig  a 
channel  from  the  river  to  the  town  that  will  he  navigable  for  launches. 
The  town  consists  of  rows  of  wooden  houses  running  at  right  angles 
to  each  other  and  straggling  over  the  grassy  prairie,  which  is  subject 
to  inundation  during  the  rainy  season.  The  nouses  are  mostly  built 
of  insufficiently  seasoned  lumber,  which  quickly  decays  under  the 
action  of  the  climate — an  old  Jesuit  church  being  the  only  building 
of  durable  material. 

Cobija. — This  town,  the  capital  of  the  Territory  of  Colonias,  is 
located  on  the  Rio  Acre  and  opposite  Brazilian  territory.  It  has 
rapidly  increased  in  importance  because  of  its  position  in  the  rubber 
trade  and  now  has  a  population  of  about  3,000. 

MagdcHena. — Magdalena  is  located  on  the  Rio  Itonama  in  the 
Province  of  Itenez,  Department  of  El  Beni.  Its  population  is  about 
L\( )()(). 

Baures.  —This  town  is  situated  on  a  river  of  the  same  name  in  the 
Province  of  Itenez.     Its  population  is  between  1,500  and  2,000. 

Amongother  Bolivian  towns  are  the  following:  Mizque  and  Aiquile, 
lying  in  isolated  valleys  on  the  road  between  Sucre  and  Cochabamba  ; 
Totora,  situated  among  the  mountains  on  the  way  from  Cochabamba 
to  Santa  Cruz;  Padilla  and  Lagunillas,  to  the  southeast  of  Sucre. 
Lagunillas  being  the  center  of  petroleum  operations  in  eastern  Bolivia ; 
Cotagaita,  to  the  south  of  Potosi;  Camargo,  lying  in  a  pleasant  valley 
north  of  Tarija;  Sorata,  situated  under  the  shadow  of  Jllampu  to  the 
cast  of  Lake  Titicaca;  and  Tupiza,  which  lies  about  midway  between 
the  Bolivian  and  Argentine  railheads  on  the  road  from  Uvuni  to  La 
Quiaca.  Tupiza  is  a  place  of  about  1,500  people,  situated  in  a  well- 
cultivated  valley  at  an  altitude  of  about  9,800  feet.  Though  its 
present  commercial  importance  is  very  limited,  the  completion  of 
the  railway  between  Atocha  and  the  Argentine  border  should  give 
.i  considerable  impulse  to  its  growth.  It  has  branches  of  the  Banco 
de  la  Xacion  and  of  the  Banco  Nacional  de  Bolivia. 


TRANSPORTATION  AND  COMMUNICATIONS. 

EXTERNAL  TRADE  ROUTES. 

Because  of  the  inland  position  of  the  country  the  question  of 
foreign  outlets  is  of  the  most  vital  importance  to  Bolivia.  At 
present  all  its  foreign  commerce  passes  through  the  territory  of 
other  countries.  Its  outlets  to  the  Atlantic  are  by  way  of  Brazil  or 
Argentina,  and  those  to  the  Pacific  by  way  of  Peru  or  Chile.  Though 
the  passage  of  merchandise  to  and  from  Bolivia  through  these  coun- 
tries is  subject  in  normal  times  to  few  restrictions,  national  pride 
and  the  fact  that  the  freedom  of  this  transit  trade  depends,  at  last 
resort,  upon  the  will  of  other  powers  have  made  this  question  of 
outlets  the  very  basis  of  Bolivia's  foreign  policy.  Free  transit  of 
goods  across  Argentine  territory  is  guaranteed  by  a  treaty  of  1868. 
Transit  trade  across  Brazil  is  carried  on  under  the  provisions  of  the 
treaty  of  1903,  with  further  regulations  provided  by  a  treaty  of 
1910.  The  treaty  of  1904  established  the  right  of  free  transit  across 
Chilean  territory,  and  a  convention  drawn  up  in  1912  contains  regu- 
lations for  the  enforcement  of  these  articles  of  the  original  treaty. 
Trade  by  Mollendo,  in  Peru,  is  regulated  in  accordance  with  a  treaty 
of  1905  and  two  supplementary  agreements  of  1917.  However,  the 
Bolivians  contend  that  these  treaties  do  not  offer  the  necessary 
guaranties  or  freedom  from  the  intervention  of  foreign  customs 
officials  in  transit  shipments  to  and  from  Bolivia.  They  also  claim 
that  they  do  not  assure  adequate  protection  against  smuggling 
operations  organized  on  the  territory  of  these  neighboring  countries. 
Also,  the  circumstance  that  all  Bolivian  commerce  has  the  character 
of  transit  trade  makes  it  difficult  to  center  responsibility  for  the  loss 
of  freight  in  transit.  Thus,  in  Bolivia  it  is  customary  to  put  the 
blame  &f or  all  pilferage  on  those  who  move  the  goods  at  the  coast 
ports,  where  Bolivia  has  no  control  over  lightermen  and  stevedores. 

There  are  three  distinct  connections  with  the  Pacific  coast.  The 
most  northerly  of  these  is  that  formed  by  the  Guaqui-La  Paz  Rail- 
way, the  line  of  steamers  on  Lake  Titicaca,  and  the  Southern  Railway 
of  Peru,  terminating  at  Mollendo.  This  Peruvian  port  shares  in  the 
general  bad  character  of  west  coast  harbors  and  is  only  an  open 
roadstead  exposed  to  the  long,  heavy  swell  of  the  Pacific  and  the 
storms  of  the  winter  season.  Freight  is  transferred  between  ship 
and  shore  by  means  of  lighters,  and  at  times  the  loading  and  landing 
of  goods  is  impossible.  Mollendo  itself  is  an  unattractive  town  of 
about  2,000  people,  situated  on  a  bench  of  land  about  75  feet  above 
the  ocean,  at  the  edge  of  the  desert  which  extends  inland  m  an 
unbroken  waste  to  the  beautiful  oasis  of  Arequipa.  The  distance 
from  Mollendo  to  La  Paz  is  about  529  miles. 

The  two  other  outlets  to  the  Pacific  are  through  Chile,  terminating 
at  Arica  and  Antofagasta.  Arica  is  the  Pacific  port  nearest  to  La 
Paz,  the  distance  between  the  two  places  being  only  279  miles. 
Communications  are  had  over  the  Arica-La  Paz    Railway   (Ferro- 

55 


56  BOUVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

carri]  de  Arica  a  La  Paz).  Arica  is  a  place  of  about  1,000  people, 
and  is  also  connected  by  a  local  railway  Line  with  Tacna,  which  lies 
39  miles  fco  the  north.  The  port  of  Arica  is  protected  by  ao  island 
lying  to  the  south  and  by  a  reel'  which  connect-  this  island  with  the 
mainland.  This  gives  snipping  considerably  greater  security  than 
vessels  enjoy  at  either  Mollendo  or  Antofagasta.  However,  trans- 
shipping operations  are  carried  on  by  means  of  lighters,  a-  at  the 
other  polls.  There  are,  wooden  piers,  to  which  goods  are  raised  from 
(he  lighters  by  steam  cranes  and  on  which  railway  tracks  are  laid. 

The  third  outlet  is  through  Antofagasta.  This  port  is  connected 
with  La  Paz  and  other  cities  of  the  plateau  by  the  lines  of  the  Anto- 
fagasta &  Bolivia  Railway  and  the  Bolivia  Railway.  The  junction 
of  these  two  roads,  both  of  which  are  under  the  same  management, 
is  at  CJyuni,  in  Bolivia.  The  distance  between  La  Paz  and  Antofa- 
gasta is  727  miles.  The  harbor  of  Antofagasta,  like  that  of  Mollendo, 
is  ,in  open  roadstead,  though  important  harbor  improvements  are 
projected.  The  transfer  of  freight  is  handled  in  the  same  manner 
and  attended  with  the  same  difficulties.  Antofagasta  is  ;i  compara- 
tively well-built  city  of  between  30,000  and  40,000  people  and  is  a 
very  important  shipping  point,  not  only  for  the  mineral  products  of 
southern  Bolivia,  but  for  the  copper,  nitrate,  and  borax  produced 
within  the  Province  of  Antofagasta. 

The  Bolivian  consuls  at  these  ports  act  as  "agentes  aduaneros," 
or  representatives  of  the  Bolivian  customs  service.  In  this  capacity 
they  are  empowered  to  register  consignments  of  merchandise  in 
transit  to  and  from  Bolivian  points  and  to  protect  tin1  rights  of 
Bolivian  shippers  and  consignees. 

Bolivia  has  connections  with  the  Atlantic  coast  through  both  the 
Amazon  and  the  Plate.  The  former  river  is  the  outlet  for  the 
rubber  of  the  Beni  and  Colonias  regions.  Most  of  this  export  of 
rubber  is  sent  out  over  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway  and  down  the 
Madeira  River,  to  be  reembarked  at  Manaos  or  directly  from  Para 
for  Europe  and  the  United  States.  The  total  distance  from  Ribe- 
ralta,  the  commercial  center  of  the  rubber  country,  to  Para  is  about 
2,300  mile.. 

There  are  three  different  routes  connecting  Bolivia  with  the  River 
Plate.  One  of  these  consists  of  the  nmle-and-cart  road  between 
I  ;i  Cruz  and  Puerto  Snare/,  and  the  lines  of  steamers  that  connect 
Puerto  Suarez  through  Corumba  with  Buenos  Aire-  and  Montevideo 
by  way  of  the  Paraguay.  Parana,  and  Plate.  The  distance  from 
Buenos  Aires  to  Puerto  Snare/,  is  about  1,730  miles  and  thence  to 
Santa  Cm/..  I'.io  miles  farther.  There  are  two  all-land  routes  from 
Bolivia  across  Argentine  territory,  terminating  at  the  River  Plate. 
One  of  them  is  formed  by  the  road  that  leads  south  from  Santa 
Cruz  to  the  border  ;if   Yacniha,  and  thence  to  the  railhead  at    Kmhar- 

cacion,  on  the  Bermejo.  From  this  point  there1  are  rail  connections 
to  Buenos  Aires,  the  route  being  by  the  Argentine  Central  Northern 
Railway  as  far  a-  Tucuman,  which  is  the  northern  terminus  of  both 
the  Central  Argentine  and  the  Central  Cordoba.     The  distance  from 

Y.'ieifib;!  to  Buenos  Aire-  is  about  1,21  I  miles  and  the  total  distance 
between  Santa  Cruz  and  the  River  Plate  by  this  route  is  about  1,590 
mile-.  The  alternative  route  i-  that  which  connects  the  Bolivian 
plateau   with   the  Argentine  seaboard,  as  the  other  route  furnishes 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS. 


57 


an  outlet  for  the  plains  region  of  eastern  Bolivia.  The  successive 
stages  in  this  route  consist  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.'s  line  from 
La°Paz  to  the  temporary  railhead  at  Atocha,  the  125  miles  of  mule- 
and-automobile  road  that  fills  the  gap  between  Atocha  and  La 
Quiaca,  and  the  railway  from  the  frontier  at  La  Quiaca  to  Buenos 
Aires.  From  Perieo,  in  the  Province  of  Jujuy,  into  Buenos  Aires  this 
route  is  identical  with  that  from  Yacuiba  and  Embarcacion. 

The   proportion   between    exports   from   Bolivia   by   the    various 
outlets  in  1918  was  as  follows: 


Outlets. 


Pacific 

Chile 

Arica 

Antofagasta. . 

Mejillones 

Ollague 

Caquena 

Peru 

Mollendo 

Puno 

Cojata 

Tambopata. . 

Atlantic 

Argentina 

La  Quiaca. .  . 

Tocitos 

Ballivian 

Tartagal 

Itaperend a . . . 

Yavi 

Calahoyo 

Embarcacion 
Brazil 

Porto  Velho.. 

Para 

Puerto  Acre.. 

Corumba 


Weight. 


Medic  tons. 


102,641,560 

97,  719, 024 

46,340,55S 

32,276,357 

5, 107, 346 

3, 935, 292 

59,  170 

4,922,545 

3, 513,  242 

1,381,618 

20,  464 

7  221 

18, 069^  094 

12, 415,  689 

6, 406,  0S4 

5,301,620 

472,  000 

157, 220 

41, 600 

27,015 

6,870 

3,280 

5,  653,  405 

1,895,616 

1, 612,  983 

1,231,552 

913,  344 


Percent- 
age. 


85. 03 
80.95 


14.97 

10.29 


Value. 


Bolivianos. 


164, 871, 

155, 599, 

65,  797, 

46, 294, 

38,  197. 

5, 296, 

13, 

9,272, 

8,959, 

290, 

9. 

13, 

17,741, 

6,591, 

5,202, 

1,216! 

106! 

36! 

9: 

4 

13 
2 

11,112 
3,750 
3, 879 
3,000 
519 


Percent- 
age. 


90.28 
85.21 


9.72 
3.61 


6.11 


In   1915  the  proportion  of  Bolivian  exports  sent  out  in  transit 
through  these  four  countries  was  as  follows : 


Weight. 

Value. 

Countries. 

Metric  tons. 

Percent- 
age. 

Bolivianos. 

Percent- 
age. 

Chile                                           

77, 604,  759 
7, 286, 135 
5, 134,  203 
2, 364,  906 

83.91 

7.88 
5.66 
2.55 

77,755.  137 
3, 890, 836 

10,253,461 
3,310,916 

81.67 

4.09 

10.77 

3.47 

Total  imports  through  the  four  countries  in  1918 

were  as  follows: 

Weight. 

Value. 

Countries. 

Metric  tons. 

Percent- 
age. 

Bolivianos. 

Percent- 
age. 

Chile 

106,639,611 

32,085,721 

8,378,776 

3,231,620 

70.93 
21.35 

5.  56 
2.16 

18,078,453 
11,460,325 
4,067,574 

1,393,535 

51.65 

32.  75 

11.74 

•:.  86 

58 


BOLIVIA:     \    <  <i.\l  \l  KliflAI.    AND    INDUSTRIAL    !  I  A  N  I  •!'.< »( >K. 


[mports  'm   1918  through  the  throe  Pacific  ports,  which  comprise 
the  total  importations  through  Chile  and  Peru,  worn  as  follows: 


Ports  :lll<l  classes  of  goods. 


Mel  ri 

Ions. 


Antofagasta: 

i  lull  :i  n  goods  and  "  nationalized  "or  reexported  foreign  trnixis 42,576,561 

ign  goods  in  transit  to  Bolivia 23,866,279 

Arica: 

Chilean  goods  and  "  nationalized  "  or  reexported  foreign  goods 24, 160,021 

Foreign  goods  in  transil  to  Bolivia 16, 

Mollendo: 

Peruvian  g Is  ami  "  nationalized  "  or  reexported  foreign  goods 12,  7v\  70."; 

Foreign  g Is  in  transit  to  Bolivia 19,297,016 

The  volume  of  exports  through  the  same  ports  for  the  years  L915 
1  918  was  as  follows: 


Years. 


Arica.         Antofagasta.    Mollendo. 


Mi  trie  tons. 

1915 32, 021, 062 

1916 42,(565,585 

1917 43,  563, 696 

L918 46,  340,  558 


Mdric  tons. 
45,  583, 696 

:>>,,  720,  230 
47, 145, 974 

32,276,357 


.\ti  trie  tons. 
2,364*906 
2,835,207 
1,663,  121 

3,513,212 


Other 


Metric  tons. 
12,520,339 
L9,  164,592 
56,  124,040 
38,580,507 


Whereas  in  L915  only  34  per  cent  of  the  total  exports  of  Bolivia 
went  through  Arica  and  -49  per  cent,  or  nearly  half,  through  Anto- 
fagasta,  in  1918  Arica  had  38.39  per  cent  and  Antofagasta  26.74  per 
cent  of  the  exports.  However,  exports  through  Mejillones,  which 
lies  a  short  distance  to  the  north  of  Antofagasta,  increased  enor- 
mously during  this  period,  particularly  after  1910,  as  is  shown  above 
by  the  figures  for  "Other  routes." 

The  distances  between  important  points  of  shipment  in  Bolivia 
and  the  three  ports  of  Antofagasta,  Arica,  and  Mollendo  are  as 
follows: 


La  Paz  to —  Miles. 

Arica 27!) 

Antofagasta 719 

Mollendo 535 

( >rur<>  to — 

\lic;i 384 

Antofagasta 637 

Mollendo 641 


Cochabamba  to —  Miles 

Arica 

Antofagasta 70t> 

Mollendo 772 

Machacamarca  to — 

Arica 398 

Antofagasta 

Mollendo 656 


RAILWAYS. 


HISTORICAL  SURVEY. 


The  lirst  railway  in  Bolivia  was  the  line  built  from  Antofagasta  to 
LTyuni  to  serve  as  an  outlet  for  the  mines  iA'  Huanchaca.     This  line 

was   opened    t<«    traffic    in    L 889,  and    the    next    year   was   sold    to    the 

Antofagasta  A:  Bolivia  Railway  Co.  However,  the  greatest  impulse 
to  railway  building  was  giveD  during  the  administration  of  President 
[smael  Montes  (1904    L909).     By  the  end  of  1913  there  were  three 

lines    between    the    Bolivian    plateau    and    the    coast.      The    line    from 


TKANSPOKTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  ,r)9 

Antofagasta  to  Uyuni  was  extended  north  to  Oruro  in  1892,  giving 
a  new  impetus  to  the  development  of  the  mining  industry  to  the 
cast  of  the  railway.  In  1913  this  line,  known  as  the  Bolivia  Railway, 
reached  Yiaeha,  with  connections  into  La  Paz.  The  same  year  the 
Long-promised  Chilean  line  from  Arica  to  La  Paz  was  also  completed. 

In  1903  the  railway  from  Lake  Titicaca  reached  the  "alto"  of  La 
Paz  and  gave  that  city  connections  with  the  coast  at  Mollendo  over 
the  Southern  Railway  of  Peru.  Two  years  later  the  section  known 
as  the  "baiada"  was  built  from  El  Keriko,  at  the  edge  of  the  "alto," 
down  into  La  Paz. 

The  main  trunk  lines  were  later  supplemented  by  branches  built 
into  important  industrial  centers.  In  1912  a  branch  of  the  Bolivia 
Railway  was  extended  from  Rio  Mulatos  into  Potosi,  and  five  years 
later  Cochabamba  was  linked  up  with  the  main  line  at  Oruro.  In 
1913  the  line  which  was  to  connect  the  Bolivian  and  Argentine  sys- 
tems reached  Atocha  from  Uyuni,  and  in  1914  a  spur  of  the  Arica- 
La  Paz  Railway  was  built  in  to  the  copper  mining  town  of  Corocoro 
by  the  Bolivian  Government.  Work  was  first  begun  on  the  Yungas 
Railway  in  1915,  and  the  first  section  to  the  divide  was  opened  to 
traffic  five  years  later.  Two  short  private  lines,  operated  by  mining 
interests,  have  been  built.  One  of  these  connects  Uyuni  with  the 
mines  of  Huanchaca-Pulacayo,  a  distance  of  24  miles,  and  the  other, 
which  leaves  the  Bolivia  Railway  at  Machacamarca  and  was  intended 
to  serve  the  rich  tin-mining  district  of  Uncia,  is  nearing  completion. 
Before  the  opening  of  the  branch  from  Ororu  to  Cochabamba  two 
narrow-gauge  lines  had  been  built  out  of  Cochabamba  to  near-by 
towns  by  the  Empresa  Luz  y  Fuerza  Electrica  de  Cochabamba. 

PROBLEMS  OF   RAILWAY   CONSTRUCTION. 

The  topography  of  the  country  presents  very  serious  obstacles  to 
railway  building  in  Bolivia.  Not  only  was  it  necessary  to  overcome  a 
difference  in  altitude  amounting  to  about  14,000  feet  in  order  to 
reach  the  plateau  from  the  coast,  but  the  mountainous  character  of 
most  of  the  "altiplano"  makes  railway  construction  in  that  region 
difficult  and  expensive.  The  Guaqui-La  Paz  Railway  and  the  main 
line  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  are  exceptions,  since  for  most  of  their 
length  their  tracks  were  laid  across  the  "meseta"  or  table-land, 
which  extends  with  few  breaks  from  below  Uyuni  north  to  Lake 
Titicaca,  The  Yungas  Railway,  the  Potosi  and  Cochabamba  branches 
of  the  Bolivia  Railway,  and  the  line  now  building  from  Potosi  into 
Sucre  illustrate  the  problems  faced  by  engineers  in  routing  and  build- 
ing railways  in  Bolivia. 

Climate'  is  another  material  factor  that  influences  the  construction 
of  railways,  particularly  in  the  "montana"  region  to  the  east  of  the 
Cordillera  Real.  The  excessive  rains  that  fall  in  this  zone  of  semi- 
tropical  valleys  may  not  only  force  the  suspension  of  work  for  weeks 
at  a  time,  but  make  the  problems  of  roadbed  construction  particu- 
larly difficult.  Washouts  and  slides  are  very  frequent  in  this  moun- 
tainous country,  and  since  railway  routes  follow  the  narrow  valleys 
of  rivers  for  most  of  their  way,  the  protection  of  the  track  against 
floods  often  demands  the  construction  of  elaborate  defensive  works, 
as  on  the  Cochabamba  line. 


00  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AN'h    [NDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

The  supply  of  labor  for  large  enterprises  is  small  in  Bolivia,  espe- 
cially as  the  mines  take  increasing  numbers  of  men.  It  is  usually 
difficull  to  secure  enough  laborers  for  railway  construction  and  as 
difficult  to  hold  them  after  they  are  engaged.  The  importation  of 
foreign  labor  for  this  class  of  work  is  of  very  doubtful  advisability, 
.1-  onrj  the  Bolivian  or  Peruvian  Indian  or  "cholo"  is  by  nature 
adapted  to  hard  manual  labor  at   this  altitude. 

Tin-  railway  legislation  of  Bolivia  has  been  collected  in  a  hook 
entitled  " Legislaci6n  Ferroviaria."  Railway  construction  is  largely 
governed  l>y  the  general  law  of  October  3,  1910.     Meter  gauge  (meter 

3.28  feet)  is  prescribed  for  all  lines  built  within  the  country. 
Concessions  are  usually  granted  for  a  term  of  99  years,  after  which 
the  lines  revert  to  the  State.  The  Government  may  expropriate  a 
line  at  any  time  on  payment  of  the  actual  valuation  plus  25  per  cent. 
A  "privilege"  /one  of  .10  kilometers  (31  miles)  is  granted  on  either 
side  of  the  right  of  way.  in  which  no  competing  line  may  he  built. 
Other  privileges  granted  are  the  right  to  expropriate  land  under  a 
law  of  eminent  domain,  the  right  to  use  public  land  and  any  timber 
or  -lone  that  may  he  on  it,  exemption  from  taxation  for  a  specified 
time  and  from  payment  of  import  duties  on  materials  used,  and 
exemption  from  military  service  for  employees  unless  in  case  of  a 
war  with  a  foreign  powef.  Guaranties  of  interest  on  investment  are 
generally  fixed  by  the  Government  at  a  maximum  of  5  per  cent  on 
the  capital,  advances  to  be  reimbursed  to  the  Government  out  of 
net  earnings  in  excess  of  5  per  cent.  Tin'  railway  company  may 
relinquish  its  right  to  the  guaranty  at  any  time  upon  reimbursement 
of  the  total  advances  made  to  it  by  tin1  Government.  Land  in  alter- 
nate lots  along  the  right  of  way  may  be  granted  to  the  constructing 
company  in  lieu  of  a  money  guaranty,  when  such  land  is  available. 

LIST  OF   RAILWAYS. 

The  mileage  of  railways  constructed,  under  construction,  and  pro- 
jected at  the  beginning  of  L920  was  ;k  Follows: 


Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway  Co.: 

Bolh  Lai)  section  of  main  lin<> 

Viacha  I. a.  I'az 

El  Kenko  branch 

r.nli\  ia  Railway  <  !o. : 

\  iacha-<  iruio 

Rio  Mulato-Potofi 

<  )ruf<>-<  Jochabamba 205 

mi-Atocha 

<  !fa.  Huanchaca  de  Bolivia:  I  j  uni-Pulacayo 

Empresa  Luz  y  Fuei  a  Electrica  Cochabamba: 

Cochabamba-Vinto 

Cochabamba  Arani 

arril  de  Arica  a  I  a  Paz    Arii  a  Alto  La  I 'a.     Bolivian  section  . 

Peruvian  Corporation  (Ltd    :  Guaqui  la  Pa      

Simon  I    PatifSo:  Machacamarca-1  ncia  

Corocoro  branch  of  Arica-La  Paz  Railwaj  (property  of  Bolivian  »">>. 

emmenl     Tan  ■;■" 

:ni  il  l'..i'.  i  Su<  re  I  property  "i   Bolivian  Government) 

Ferrocarril  a  Ytmgasi  property  of  noli vian  Government) 

Total  buill 


Kilometers. 

Miles. 

486 

302 

!>•» 

IS 

^ 

5 

•JUL' 

L26 

17! 

IDS 

I'd.-. 

ll'T 

W 

56 

38 

24 

IS 

II 

60 

37 

145 

'.iv 

ill 

i;i) 

:;: 

s 

r. 

50 

::i 

II 

16 

1.  in;. 

TRANSPORTATION    AND   COMMUNICATIONS.  61 

UNDER   CONSTRUCTION    OR   PROJECTED. 

Simon   I.    Patiiio:  Unconstracted  section  of   Machacamarca-Uncia  Kilometers.  Miles, 

line «  27 

Stale  lines: 

La  Qniaca-Tupiza 100  62 

Potosi-Sucre 128  80 

Pa  Paz-Yungas  (estimated  1 100  62 

Atocha-Tupiza 101  65 

Total  under  construction  or  projected -171)  296 

Total  of  all  lines 2,  261         1,  405 

LINES  OF  ANTOFAGASTA  &  BOLIVIA  RAILWAY  CO. 

The  most  important  system  in  Bolivia  is  that  of  the  Bolivia  Rail- 
way Co.,  now  under  the  control  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway 
( Jo.  The  lines  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.  were  leased  in  1908  by  the 
Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Co.,  so  they  arc  now  operated  as  a  single  sys- 
tem. For  administrative  purposes  the  combined  lines  are  divided 
into  a  Bolivian  and  a  Chilean  section.  The  offices  of  the  Bolivian 
section  are  in  La  Paz  and  of  the  Chilean  section  at  Antofagasta.  The 
home  offices  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Co.  are  located  at  1  Broad 
Street  Place,  Finbury  Circus,  E.  C.  2,  London.  The  offices  of  the  Bo- 
livia Railway  Co.  are  in  New  York.  The  traffic  department  of  the 
Bolivian  section  is  located  at  Oruro. 

The  Bolivia  Railway  Co.  was  organized  as  a  result  of  the  national 
law  of  November  27,  1906,  which  represented  the  policy  of  the 
Monies  administration  of  linking  up  the  plateau  cities  by  means  of 
railways.  At  that  time  the  Bolivian  Government  had  at  its  disposal 
&9, 720,000,  which  had  been  paid  by  Brazil  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions  of  the  t  reaty  of  Petropolis*.  The  Government  also  had  at  its 
disposal  additional  funds,  which  made  a  very  considerable  total  for 
the  building  of  railways,  for  which  President  Monies  destined  these 
resources.  In  May,  1906,  a  contract  was  signed  with  the  New  York 
banking  house  of  Speyer  &  Co.  and  the  National  City  Bank  of  New 
York,  providing  for  the  construction  and  operation  of  a  line  of  railways 
on  the  plateau.  The  two  banking  houses  were  to  promote  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  separate  company,  which  was  to  have  charge  of  the 
work  and  its  subsequent  management  in  trust.  The  company  organ- 
ized for  this  purpose  was  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.,  which  was  char- 
tered in  New  York. 

According  to  the  contract  made  between  the  Bolivian  Government 
and  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.,  the  cost  of  the  lines  projected  was  cal- 
culated at  the  net  figure  of  $26,730,000  United  States  gold,  to  cover 
which  the  two  following  issues  of  bonds  were  made : 

(a)  First  mortgage  bonds,  $18,225,000,  which  the  lessees  bound 
themselves  to  take  at  5  per  cent  interest,  which  was  guaranteed  by 
the  Bolivian  Republic  for  25  years.  These  bonds  were  issued  at  the 
rate  of  80  per  cent,  vielding  a  net  sum  of  $14,580,000. 

(b)  Second  mortgage  bonds,  $12,150,000,  which  the  Bolivian  Gov- 
ernment took  at  par,  with  interest  up  to  5  per  cent  allowable  with  the 
net  rental  of  the  lines  after  payment  of  the  service  on  the  first  mort- 
gage bonds,  and  redeemable  within  25  years. 

The  contract  held  by  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.  involved  the  expendi- 
ture of  about  $31,000,000,  or  about  $4,000",000  more  than  the  original 


(V2  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMBBOIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

estimated  cost.     This  amount  the  lessees  invested  on  their  own  ac- 
count and  without  fiscal  guaranty,  in  accordance  with  one  of  the  pro- 
visions of  the  contract. 
The  lines  constructed  by  the  company  have  a  total  mileage  of  1 L6, 

divided  as  follows,  with  the  cost  of  each  section: 

Oruro-Viacha,  L25  miles £1,063,608  ($5,  1.76,  048) 

Oruro-Cochabamba,  127  miles 2,747,721  (13,371,784) 

Rio  Mulato-Potnsi,  ]os  mile- L,518,716  (7,390,831) 

I'yuni-Atochar,  56  miles 532, 154  (2,  580,  727 

Total,  416  miles 5,862,199     (28,528,391) 

In  1908  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.  leased  its  rights  under  the  con- 
tract with  the  Bolivian  Government  to  the  Antofagasta  lV.  Bolivia 
Railway  Co.  for  a  term  of  99  years,  to  date  from  January  1.  1909. 
>  To  the  end  of  1918  the  total  cost  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.'s 
lines  and  expenditures  for  studies  and  materials  were  as  follows  (con- 
versions have  been  made  at  the  rate  of  84.8665  to  the  pound  sterling  : 

Viacha-Oruro  line £1,  063.  609  ($5,  L76,  053 

( >ruro-(  'ochabamba  line 3,  257,  219  (1 5,  85 1 

Rio  Mulato-Potosi  line 1,  540,  378  (7,  496,  251 1 

Uyuni-Atocha  line 532,  230  (2,  590.  097  | 

Studies  for  La  Paz-Puerto  Pando  line 9,  488  (46.  173 

Studies  for  Potosi-Sucre  line 193 

Materials  on  band  and  in  transit,  deduction  of  £720  being 

made  for  difference  between  capital  and  property  accounts.        270,115  (1,314,  516) 

Total 6,  673,  232  (32,  475.  284) 

The  issue  of  first  and  second  mortgage  bonds  in  accordance  with 
clause  6  of  the  original  contract  amounted  to  £5,500,000  ($26,765,750), 
leaving  a  difference  of  £1,173,232  ($5,709,534). 

The  annual  service  of  £187,500  ($912,469)  for  interest  on  the  total 
issue  of  guaranteed  first-mortgage  bonds — £3,750,000  ($18,249,375) 
at  5  per  cent — was  met  in  1918  from  the  following  resources: 

30  per  cent  of  tbe  gross  revenues  of  the  Viacha-<  >ruro  line,  after 
deducting  the  quota  assigned  for  supplementary  capital: 

Second  6  months  of  1917 E21,  783    1106,007) 

First  6  months  of  L918 21,167     i  L03,009) 

25  per  cent  of  the  gross  revenues  of  the  Rio  Mulato-Potosi  line, 
after  making  a  similar  deduction: 

Second  6  months  of  1917 6,  629        32,  260 

First  6  months  of  1918. . "'.Ill         26,  333) 

Contribution  from   the  national  treasury,  in  accordance  with 

clause  L5  of  the  original  contract 60,000    (291 

[nteresl  advanced  by  the  bankers  on  <  rovernmenl  deposits  ....      LI,  046 

Innual  quota  of  the  Government  of  Chile 45,  000    (218, 

Sum  taken  from  the  Government  deposits I<>.  46 1      (80,  122 

Total 187,  500     (012.  460) 

The  total  interest  paid  on  the  first  mortgage  bonds  to  the  end  of 
Mils  amounted  to  £1,443,892  ($7,026,700),  as  follows: 

Monthly  contributions  Erom  the  national  treasury 6720 

[nteresl  derived  from  accounts  currenl  with  the  bankers: 

'  in  capital  of  the  second-mortgage  bonds 377,  406    1 1.  836,  6 16 1 

On  deposit* 141,927        (690,688 

27ii.ii(it»     i  i.:: i 


TRANSPORTATION   AND   COMMUNICATIONS. 


63 


Product  of  the  rental  of  the  following  lines: 

Viacha-Oruro £211,  245  ($1,  028,  024) 

Rio  Mulato-Potosi 25,997        (126,514) 


£237,242  ($1,154,538) 


Total 1,  746,  797     (8,  500,  787 ) 


There  was  deducted  from  this  the  following  sums: 

Stamps  and  other  postal  charges  borne  by  the  bankers. . .  223  (1,  085) 

Amouni  held  in  power  of  the  bankers 302,  682  (1,  473,  002 ; 

302,905  (1,474,087) 


Leaving  a  total  paid  on  the  first  mortgage  bonds  amount- 
ing to 1-443,  892     (7,  026,  700) 

The  roads  controlled  by  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Co.  in  Bolivia 
consist  of  the  main  trunk  line  from  the  frontier  at  Ollague  to  La  Paz 
by  way  of  Uyuni,  Oruro,  and  Viacha,  and  the  Cochabamba,  Potosi, 
and  Atocha  branches  of  the  Bolivia  Railway.  These  lines  have  a 
total  length  of  1,194  kilometers  (742  miles) .  The  dates  of  completion 
of  the  different  links  in  this  system  were  as  follows: 


Rio  Mulato-Potosi 1912 

Uyuni-Atocha 1913 

Oruro-Cochabamba 1917 


Antofagasta-Uyuni 1889 

Uyuni-Oruro 1892 

Oruro-Viacha 1913 

Viacha-La  Paz 1917 

Distances  between  the    principal  points  on  the  main  line  are  as 
follows : 

Kilometers.  Miles. 

Antofagasta-Uyuni 612  380 

Ollague-Uyuni 175  109 

Uyuni-Oruro 313  1°8 

Oruro-La  Paz 237  147 

Antofagasta-La  Paz 1, 162  722 

Viacha-La  Paz 32  20 

The  175  kilometers  (109  miles)  from  Ollague  to  Uyuni  is  merely  a 
prolongation  of  the  Chilean  section  into  Bolivian  territory.  As  this 
section  is  of  narrow  2.5-foot  gauge,  in  contrast  to  the  meter  gauge  of 
the  other  Bolivian  lines,  goods  and  passengers  in  the  through  traffic 
must  be  transferred  at  Uyuni.  However,  the  laying  of  a  third  rail, 
now  under  way,  will  obviate  the  necessity  for  this  transfer  and  enable 
cars  to  be  routed  through  from  one  section  to  the  other.  The  highest 
point  between  Antofagasta  and  La  Paz  is  at  Ascotan  in  Chile,  a  short 
distance  from  the  border,  where  the  line  reaches  a  height  of  12,979 
feet.  The  maximum  radius  of  curves  for  the  entire  Bolivian  section  of 
the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway  is  656  feet,  and  the  maximum  grade 
is  1.56  feet.  Wood  ties  are  used  for  279  miles  and  steel  for  46  miles. 
The  rails  between  Ollague  and  Uyuni  weigh  68.4  pounds  to  the  yard, 
and  from  Uyuni  to  Oruro  60  pounds.  There  are  172  bridges  and 
culverts,  with  a  total  length  of  10,433  feet.  The  roadbed  is  kept  in 
excellent  condition,  and  the  station  buildings,  though  unpreten- 
tious, are  well  constructed  of  stone.  Though  there  islieavy  traffic 
on  the  Chilean  section,  which  serves  as  outlet  for  the  nitrate  "ofic- 
inas,"  the  mines  of  Chuquicamata  and  Collahuasi,  and  the  vast  borax 
deposits  of  Cebollar,  there  is  little  local  business  in  the  barren  country 
between  Ollague  and  Uyuni.  However,  at  Uyuni  the  line  receives 
heavy  freights  both  from  the  main  line  to  the  north  and  from  the  At- 


64        boiAvia:  a  commercial  and  indusi :bial  eandbook. 

ocha  branch  to  the  south.  For  most  of  its  length  the  course  of  the 
Uyuni-Oruro  section  lies  across  the  great  "meseta"  or  table-land, 
and  thus  roughly  parallels  the  two  main  chains  of  the  Andes,  which 
wall  in  the  plateau  to  the  east  and  the  west.  The  construction  of 
this  part  of  the  road  was  comparatively  easy,  but  north  of  Rio  Mulato 

the  line  enters  hillier  country.  The  Rio  Alula to-Potosi  branch  and 
the  Patino  line  from  Machacamarca  to  Qncia  both  connect  with  this 
uorth-and-south  trunk  road.  Minerals  are  also  loaded  at  Poopo  and 
Ghallapata. 

The  Oruro-Viacha  section  was  built  to  connect  La  Paz  and  Oruro, 
thereby  completing  the  unification  of  the  national  railway  system. 
It  is  built  for  most  of  its  length  through  a  hilly  region,  though  it 
emerges  into  level  country  before  reaching  Viacha.  This  line  has  a 
total  length  of  202  kilometers  (126  miles),  a  minimum  radius  of 
curves  oi  251.4  feet,  and  a  maximum  grade  of  3  per  cent.  Wood 
ties  are  used,  and  the  weight  of  rails  is  55  pounds  per  yard.  The 
purely  local  traffic  on  this  line  is  comparatively  small,  though  the 
development  of  such  mining  centers  as  that  of  Caracoles  should 
greatly  increase  this  class  of  business. 

Since  September,  1917,  trains  from  Antofagasta  have  entered  La 
Paz  over  the  company's  own  tracks.  Formerly  the  only  connection 
between  the  important  junction  point  of  Viacha  (where  the  three  lines 
from  the  coast  converge)  and  La  Paz  was  by  the  Guaqui  line's  exten- 
sion. The  high  cost  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia's  new  terminal 
section— about  £400,000  ($1,948,000)— was  largely  due  to  the  diffi- 
culties of  construction  from  the  edge  of  the  "alto"  down  into  the 
city,  to  the  terminus  at  the  Chijini  Station.  Not  only  was  this  a 
difficult  piece  of  railway  engineering,  but  the  entrance  to  La  Paz 
over  i his  line,  which  winds  down  the  rugged  walls  of  the  deep  basin 
in  which  the  capital  lies,  forms  one  of  the  most  picturesque  approaches 
to  any  city  in  the  world.  The  total  length  of  the  viacha-La  Paz 
connection  is  32  kilometers  (20  miles).  The  minimum  radius  (>( 
curves  is  313.8  feet;  the  maximum  grade  is  2.67  per  cent:  the  tics 
used  are  of  steel;  and  the  weight  of  rail  is  60  pounds  per  yard.  There 
are  73  culverts,  with  a  total  clearance  of  383  feet;  5  bridge's,  with  a 
total  length  of  185  feet;  and  2  tunnels,  with  a  total  length  of  682 
feet. 

The  Bolivia  Railway's  Oruro-Cochabamba  branch  was  opened  to 
traffic  in  L917,  and  the  cosl  to  the  end  of  1918  was  63,257,219 
($15,851,256),  or  at  the  rate  of  more  than  $109,000  per  mile.  The 
total  length  of  the  line  is  21  1  kilometers  (131  miles).  The  minimum 
radius  oi  curves  IS  251.3  feet,  and  the  maximum  grade  is  3  per  cent. 
The  lies  are  of  wood  and  the  rails  weigh  T>.">  and  60  pounds  to  the 
yard.      There  are    17  1    bridges,   with   a    total   clearance  of  4,208   feet. 

and  .">  tunnels,  with  a  total  length  of  988  feet.     Aiter  leaving  Oruro, 

at  an  altitude  of  12,122  feet,  the  line  leads  across  the  table-land  for 
a  short  distance  and  1  hen  climbs  to  the  divide  of  the  (nest  a  Colorada 
by  a  2  per  cent  grade.     Oil  the  other  side  it  descends  to  the  valley  <>{  the 

An  pie  by  a  remarkable  piece  of  Line,  seven  tracks  being  laid  one  above 

another  at    one   place   where  the   road  zigzags  down   the  mountain    to 

reach  the  level  of  the  valley.  For  mosl  of  its  course  thence  into  the 
plain  of  Cochabamba  the  line  follows  deep  and  narrow  river  \  alleys 
through  a  rugged  mountain  country.  This  circumstance,  with  the 
attendant    landslides,    washouts,   and    encroachments   ^\'   the   river 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  65 

during  the  rainy  season,  has  led  to  frequent  interruptions  of  traffic, 
necessitating  expensive  repairs  to  the  line.  However,  the  railway 
company  has  put  in  some  elaborate  defensive  works  along  the  line 
to  protect  the  track  from  rises  of  the  river  and  from  landslides,  and 
in  this  way  hopes  shortly  to  normalize  traffic  over  the  line  throughout 
the  year.  From  the  scenic  standpoint  the  route  has  few  equals  in 
South  America. 

The  Potosi  branch  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  leaves  the  main  line 
of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  at  the  Rio  Mulato  junction,  which  lies 
105  kilometers  (65  miles)  north  of  Uyuni  and  441  kilometers  (274 
miles)  south  of  La  Paz.  The  total  length  of  the  branch  is  174  kilo- 
meters (108  miles).  The  Condor  station  on  this  line,  at  the  point 
where  the  railway  crosses  the  divide  of  the  Cordillera  de  los  Frailes, 
ranks  with  the  Tiklyo  station  on  the  Cerro  de  Pasco  line  in  Peru  as 
one  of  the  two  highest  points  reached  by  a  railway  in  the  world, 
being  at  a  height  of  over  15,800  feet  above  sea  level.  This  line  was 
opened  to  traffic  in  1912,  and  its  construction  cost,  to  the  end  of 
1918,  a  total  of  £1,540,378  ($7,496,250).  The  minimum  radius  of 
curves  is  251.4  feet,  and  the  maximum  grade  is  3  per  cent.  Steel 
ties,  weighing  46  kilos  (101  pounds),  are  used  and  the  rails  weigh 
60  pounds  to  the  yard.  Most  of  the  road  is  built  through  very 
rough  country,  with  very  high  embankments  and  deep  rock  cuts. 
The  country  along  the  line  is  thinly  populated,  the  only  station  of 
importance  between  the  two  terminals  being  at  Agua  Castilla,  where 
the  product  of  the  Porco  tin  mines  is  shipped.  As  a  consequence, 
most  of  the  business  consists  of  through  traffic  between  Potosi  and 
Oruro  or  Potosi  and  Antofagasta. 

The  Uyuni-Atocha  line  constitutes  the  finished  section  of  the 
road  whgse  ultimate  objective  was  Tupiza.  The  total  length  of  the 
line,  which  had  cost  £532,230  ($2,590,097)  to  the  end  of  1918,  is  90 
kilometers  (56  miles).  The  line  leads  out  from  Uyuni  across  the 
alkaline  plains  for  a  considerable  distance  and  then  enters  a  highly 
eroded  country  that  borders  the  mountains  of  Nor  Lipez.  The 
minimum  radius  of  curves  is  291.6  feet,  and  the  maximum  grade  is 
3  per  cent.  Steel  ties  are  used  and  the  weight  of  rails  is  60  pounds 
to  the  yard.  Most  of  the  freight  carried  comes  from  the  mines  at 
Chocaya,  from  the  Aramayo-Francke  mines  to  the  east  of  the  rail- 
way, and  from  Argentina  by  way  of  La  Quiaca  and  Tupiza. 

In  addition  to  the  large  amount  of  general  freight  which  they 
carry,  the  lines  under  the  management  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia 
Co.  serve  as  outlets  for  some  of  the  richest  mining  districts  in  the 
country,  such  as  those  of  Uncia,  Llallagua,  Oruro,  Potosi,  Cole- 
quechaca,  Huanchaca,  and  Chocaya.  The  principal  items  of  through 
freight  traffic  are  the  tin,  silver,  and  other  ores  and  concentrates  from 
these  mines.  Practically  all  of  the  production  of  the  Department  of 
Potosi  and  much  of  that  of  Oruro  is  exported  via  Antofagasta. 
However,  in  the  Department  of  Oruro  the  competition  of  the  Arica, 
and  to  a  less  extent  of  the  Mollendo,  line  begins  to  be  felt.  Compara- 
tively little  through  freight  is  carried  over  the  section  between  Oruro 
and  Viacha,  though  considerable  merchandise  imported  by  Arica 
and  Mollendo  is  sent  through  by  this  route  for  distribution  in  Oruro, 
Cochabamba,  and  other  places. 
44462°— 21 5 


60  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

Traffic  returns  for  all  the  linos  in  1918  were  as  follow-: 


Items. 


Volume.    Receipts. 


Bolivia  Railway: 
Viacha-<  (ruro1 — 

Pa  sengers 121 i. -'">■'! 

Baggage tons. .  284 

Fxprcss do....  1,227 

Freight— 
Imported  goods,  .do....      23.802 

Exported  goods. .do 12,243 

Local  freight do....      42. 70s 

Telegrams,  special  trains, 

etc 


Bolivi- 
anos ■ 

t.'l.  7s( 
13,123 
»,  (09 

574,216 

296,312 
538,405 

16, 762 


Total 1,913.011 


Rio  Mulato-Potosi— 

Pa  sengers , 

Baggage tons. 

Express do. . . 

Freight 

Import  cii  goods,  .do 

Exported  goods,  .do 

Local  freight do 

Telegrams,  special  trains, 
etc 


Total. 


Oruro-(  Jochabamba  * — 

r  i  tengers 

Baggage tons. 

Express do... 

Freight  — 

I  mported  goods,  .do. . . 

Exported  goods,  .do.. . 

Local  freight do. . . 

Telegrams,  special  trains, 

etc 


12,672 
90 
291 


89.587 

5,  H3 

23.331 


6,472  ins.  OS.") 

7,241  171,152 

6,679  226,969 

10, 364 


634,901 


72,  826 

ins 
546 

Jin 

381 

22,931 


360,  S77 
7,816 
17.  128 

8,  193 

7,597 

694,984 

9,055 


Total 1, 135, 950 


Bolivia  Railway— Continued. 
i  yuni-Atocna— 

Passengers 

Baggage tons. 

Express do... 

Freight — 

Imported  goods.. do... 

Exported  goods. .do... 

Local  freight do... 

Telegrams,  special  trains, 

etc 


Volume. 


16,215 

.",1 
260 

712 
5,  852 
12,322 


Receipts. 


Bolivi- 
anos. 

55,291 

1 .  7'.'7. 
in.  17!* 

'.i.  333 
82,01 1 
191,827 


Total. 


Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  (Boli- 
vian section): 

Passengers 

Baggage tons. 

Express do... 

Freight- 
Imported  goods. . . .do. . . 

Exported  goods do. .. 

Local  freight do. . . 


220,970 
(61 

2,  777. 

65,  868 

98,  113 


Total. 


All  lines: 

Passengers 

E  xeess  baggage tons . 

Express do. . . 

F'reight do. . . 


448,936 

997 

345, 567 


640,  138 
17,150 

1,158,762 

1,517,098 

B36,  185 


4, 255, 664 


1 .  570, 977 

(5,  297 

216,678 

6,421,132 


i  The  receipts  of  litis  section  in  litis  exceeded  those  of  the  year  before  by  about  1 10,000  bolivianos. 

*  The  average  mom  M >  receipts  in  1918  were  94,663  bolivianos,  as  compared  with  (.0,507  bolivianos  in 

1917,  the  first  year  of  operation. 

The  results  of  the  operation  of  the  Bolivian  section  of  the  An- 
tofagasta &  Bolivia,  as  distinguished  from  the  lines  of  the  Bolivia 
Railway,  in  1918,  as  compared  with  the  previous  year,  are  expressed 
below : 


Items 


Surplu 


1917                                   1918 

lncn  i                     reasel  -). 

Founds 
sterling. 

318,  186 

_  ,,           Pounds 
"""""■     sterling. 

Dollars. 

V  mount. 

Percent- 
age, 

Pounds 

sterling. 

Dollars. 
.   101,908 

112      380,524 
918,951       297,953 

1,  B51|  B20 
!.  149,988 

|  109,  121 

19.  18 

+57.  79 

630, 961  )      82,  57 1 

401,  832 

17,083 

-229, 129 

-36. 31 

TRA NSPOKTATIO N    AND    COMMUNK  AT  ION S. 

The  following  table  gives  figures  for  the  passenger  traffic: 


67 


1917 

1918 

Percentage  of  in- 
crease. 

Classes. 

Number. 

Receipts. 

Number. 

Receipts. 

In 
number. 

* 

Pounds 
sterling. 

Dollars. 

Pounds 
sterling. 

Dollars. 

receipts. 

38, 407 
148,  932 

17, 722 

25, 864 

86, 244 
125, 867 

45,  540 
175,  430 

22, 271 
34, 203 

108, 382 
166, 449 

18.57 
17.79 

25.67 

32.24 

Total 

187,  339 

43,  586 

212,111 

220,  970 

56,  474 

274,  831 

17.95 

29.  n 

In  1918  the  tonnage  of  excess  baggage  and  parcels  was  3,236,  as 
compared  with  2,710  in  1917 — an  increase  of  19.41  per  cent. 

Receipts  from  public  telegrams  amounted  to  £370  ($1,803)  in 
1918,  representing  an  increase  of  59.22  per  cent  over  the  sum  of 
£232  ($1,133)  derived  from  this  source  during  the  preceding  year. 

In  1918  the  freight  carried  amounted  to  203,930  tons,  with  receipts 
of  £310,359  ($1,510,362),  against  a  tonnage  of  197,185  and  receipts 
of  £265,931  ($1,294,153)  in  1917.  The  increase  in  tonnage,  there- 
fore, was  3.42  per  cent  and  in  receipts  16.71  per  cent. 

The  traffic  by  classes  is  shown  below : 


Classes. 


Tons. 

Tin 70, 606 

Antimony 20-  942 

Materials  for  mines 16, 891 

General  merchandise 16,  (36 

Silver !  18,946 

Huanchaca  ores 11 ,  686 

Coal 11.937 

Petroleum 3,  ™ 

Explosives  and  inflammables 3, 427 

Sugar 1  j  996 

Coca "'  -?'i 

Live  stock '5° 

Firewood ?,  430 

Cereals  and  flour 5,399 

Company  materials 32, 889 


Tons. 

75,440 

6,154 

26,068 

19, 882 

17,881 

10,554 

13,515 

4,282 

3,163 

1,708 

3,461 

1,890 

5,860 

6,900 

36,351 


Increase  (  +  )  or 
decrease  (  — ). 


Tonnage, 


+  4,834 

-14,788 
+  9,177 
+  3,146 

-  1,065 

-  1,132 
+  1,578 

4-584 
-264 
-288 
+  1,178 
+  1,134 
+  3,430 
+  1,501 
+  3,462 


Percent- 
age. 


+    6.85 

-  70.61 
+  54.33 
+  18.80 

-  5. 62 

-  9.69 
+  13.22 
+  15.79 

-  7.70 

-  14.43 
+  51.60 
+  150.00 
+  111.15 
+  27.80 
+   10.53 


The  working  expenses  in  1918  were  £297,953  ($1,449,988),  as 
compared  with  £188,832  ($918,951)  in  1917— an  increase  of  £109,121 
($531,037),  or  57.79  per  cent. 


68 


BOLIVIA;    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 


The  complete  traffic  results  of  the  entire  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia 
system  during  1918,  with  comparative  figures  for  1947,  were  as 
follows: 


1917 

L918 

Tncreas               lecrease(— ). 

Items. 

Pounds 
sterling. 

Pounds 
sterling. 

Dollars. 

Amount. 

Dollars. 

Pounds        D„Ha„ 
sterling.       ' 

c,  atage. 

( tperating  expenses. . . 
NYi  recei]  Is  — 

2,239,384 
1,252,060 

10,897,962 
6,093,150 

2,370,200 
1.  182,287 

11,534,578 
7,213,550 

■  130,816     ■ 
4-230,227    H,  120, 400 

+  5.84 
1-18.37 

987,324 

4,804,812 

^:. '.>V. 

1.321,028 

-  99,411    - 

-10.   7 

To  the  balance  of  revenue  account .  £887,913  ($4,321,029),  there 

was  added  : 

Balance £887,  913  1 1 1.  321,029) 

Interest  on  Bolivia  Railway  bonds  (less tax) 60,565       (294,740) 

Registration  ices,  etc *. 220           (1,071) 

[nteresl   on  investments  and   miscellaneous  re- 
ceipts    25,  007         | 121,  007  i 

973,705    (4,738,537) 
Balance  brought  forward  from  1917 291,803  (1,420,059) 

Total 1,  265,  509    (6, 158,  596) 

Againsl  this  amount  the  following  appropriations  were  made: 

Reserve  account £100,  000     (|  186,  650 

Stall'  benevolent  fund 25,000       (121.  663) 

Income  tax 145,  216        (706,  <i0  1 1 

Total 270.2H i    (1,315,007) 

Alter  subtracting  £270,216  from  £1,265,509,  there  was  left  the 
sum  of  £995,293  ($4,843,589).  Upon  deducting  for  debenture- 
stock  interest,  interest  on  6  percent  notes,  dividends  paid  on  prefer- 
ence and  preferred  ordinary  slocks  and  interim  dividend  on  deferred 
ordinary  stock,  and  stamp  duty,  etc.,  on  ordinary  stocks  6464,677 
$2,261,351) — there  remamed  a  balance  available  for  distribution 
ai inting  to  £530,615  ($2,582,238). 

A  10  per  cent  dividend  was  paid  in  1918,  and  a  bonus  of  2  per  cent 
in  fully  paid  deferred  ordinary  stock  was  also  paid.  These  payments 
required  6237,600  ($1,156,280),  leaving  a  balance  to  he  carried  for- 
ward amounting  to  £293,015  ($1,425,958 

According  t"  the  1919  report  of  the  board  of  directors,  the  results 

of   operations    for    that    year    were    as    follows:    Receipts,    61,346,592 

-i,  :,;,:;.  1 '.id i.  a  decrease  of   13.19  per  cent  as  compared  with   19.18; 

operating  expenses,   6881,715  ($4,290,866),  ;i  decrease  of   10.52  per 

cent;  ael  receipts,  6464,877  ($2,262,324),  a  decrease  of  47.64  percent. 

[nteresl    <>n    Bolivia    Railway   bonds   t<>   the  amount    of   673,584 

$358,097)     was    added    t<»    ael     receipts.     A     total    of     6414,167 

ui:,.,ii     was  available   for  distribution   after  certain   expenses 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  69 

had  been  met.  The  regular  5  per  cent  was  paid  on  the  cumulative 
preferred  stock  and  preferred  ordinary  stock.  A  2\  per  cent  divi- 
dend was  paid  on  the  deferred  ordinary  stock  in  addition  to  an  extra 
dividend  of  6^  per  cent  on  the  same  class  of  stock.  The  decrease 
in  receipts  from  traffic  for  1919  was  largely  due  to  the  reduction  in 
shipments  of  nitrate.  However,  this  traffic  was  renewed  with  large 
shipments  during  the  early  part  of  1920. 

As  for  results  of  operation  of  the  Bolivian  section,  traffic  fell  off 
on  the  Oruro-Viacha  and  Rio  Mulato-Potosi  lines,  and  remained 
about  stationary  on  the  Uyuni-Atocha  and  Oruro-Cochabamba 
lines. 

The  present  capital  stock  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Co.  consists 
of  £2,000,000  (19,733,000)  of  5  per  cent  cumulative  preferred, 
£2,000,000  of  preferred  ordinary,  and  £2,161,600  ($10,519,426)  of 
deferred  ordinary,  or  a  total  of  £6,161,600  ($29,985,426).  At  their 
1920  meeting  the  directors  voted  to  increase  the  capitalization  to 
between  £7,578,560  ($36,881,062)  and  £8,000,000  ($38,932,000) 
through  the  creation  of  £1   ($4.87)  ordinary  shares. 

ARICA-LA  PAZ  RAILWAY. 

The  Arica-La  Paz  Railway  (Ferrocarril  de  Arica  a  La  Paz)  is  a 
Chilean  State  line  and  was  built  in  accordance  with  the  treaty  of 
1904  between  Bolivia  and  Chile  and  a  convention  of  June  27,  1905. 
By  these  agreements  Chile  bound  itself  to  build  a  railway  from  the 
port  of  Arica  to  La  Paz  as  compensation  for  Bolivia's  definitive 
renunciation  of  Antofagasta.  The  line  was  opened  to  traffic  in 
May,  1913.  The  contract  for  building  the  line,  which  was  granted 
to  Sir  John  Jackson  &  Co.,  called  for  the  expenditure  of  £1,645,000 
($8,005,393)  on  the  Chilean  section  and  £1,105,000  ($5,377,483)  on 
the  Bolivian  section,  or  a  total  of  £2,750,000  ($13,382,876).  How- 
ever, the  total  cost  is  said  to  have  been  near  £3,000,000  ($14,600,000), 
because  of  the  difficulties  encountered  in  the  Chilean  section.  Accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  of  1904  the  Bolivian  section  of 
the  railway  is  to  become  the  property  of  the  Republic  of  Bolivia  in 
1923. 

The  line  is  administered  from  the  office  of  the  director  general  of 
the  Chilean  State  Railways  in  Santiago,  but  the  local  administra- 
tion centers  in  Arica.  There  is  also  a  local  agent  in  La  Paz  and  a 
commercial  agent  in  Oruro. 

This  is  the  shortest  of  the  three  lines  between  the  coast  and  La 
Paz,  the  total  distance  being  446  kilometers  (281  miles).  However, 
as  the  trains  enter  La  Paz  from  the  "alto"  over  the  tracks  of  the 
Antofagasta  &  Bolivia,  the  last  few  miles  do  not  form  a  part  of  the 
Arica-La  Paz  system.  Shortly  after  leaving  Arica  the  line  enters 
the  fertile  valley  of  the  Azapa,  which  it  follows  for  a  considerable 
distance  before  it  climbs  into  a  mountainous  defile  and  begins  the 
ascent  of  the  Cordillera  Occidental  or  Western  Range  of  the  Andes. 
Between  kilometer  70  at  Central  and  kilometer  113  at  Puquios  there 
is  a  rise  of  2,247  meters  (7,370  feet)  in  a  distance  of  43  kilometers 
(28  miles),  with  a  maximum  gradient  of  6  per  cent.  For  22.29 
miles  of  this  section  the  rack-and-cog  system  is  used.  The  highest 
point  on  the  line  is  at  Jeneral  Lagos,  where  it  reaches  an  altitude  of 
13,960  feet.     After  climbing  onto  the  plateau  the  line  passes  to  the 


70  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

left  of  the  peak  of  Tacora,  where  important  "solfataras"  are  worked 
and  crosses  the  frontier  near  the  Bolivian  town  of  Charana,  which 
is  the  point  of  departure  for  the  projected  cut-off  to  Oruro.  In  I'M  I 
a  spur  was  buill  in  from  the  Tarejra  station  of  this  line  to  the  important 
copper-mining  center  of  Corocoro,  a  distance  of  8  kilometers  (5 
miles).  This  short  branch  is  the  property  of  the  Bolivian  ( rovernment. 

The  Chilean  section  has  a  total  length,  exclusive  of  sidings,  of 
128.21  miles,  a  minimum  radius  of  curves  of  328  feet ,  and  a  maximum 
grade  of  6  per  cent.  Steel  ties  are  used  for  19.5  miles.  The  weight 
of  rail  used  is  55.7  pounds  per  yard.  There  are  seven  bridges,  with 
a  total  clearance  of  47(i  feet,  and  5  tunnels,  with  a  total  length  of 
2,398  feet. 

The  Bolivian  section  has  a  total  length  of  1  15  miles  without  sidings, 
a  maximum  radius  of  curves  of  328  feet,  and  a  maximum  grade  of 
2.04  per  cent.  Wood  ties  are  used  throughout,  and  the  weight  of 
rails  is  55.7  and  61.1  pounds  to  the  yard.  There  are  39  bridges, 
with  a  total  clearance  of  2,706  feet. 

The  equipment  of  the  Arica-La  Paz  line  consists  of  10  locomotives 
and  288  cars  of  all  kinds.  Two  of  the  locomotives  are  rack  engines. 
The  most  successful  locomotives  used  on  the  line  are  the  large 
Bakhvins  which  have  been  recently  acquired.  Locomotives  on  this 
line  are  put  to  a  severe  test  as  a  result  of  the  heavy  grades  and  the 
extremes  of  temperature  in  the  mountain  region.  On  the  writer's 
journey  from  La  Paz  to  Arica  the  train  was  forced  to  change  engines 
four  times  as  a  result  of  breakdowns  between  La  Paz  and  Puquios. 
The  freight  cars  used  are  of  steel,  with  galvanized-iron  roofs. 

A  weekly  passenger  train  is  run  between  Arica  and  La  Paz.  This 
train,  which  carries  compartment  sleeping  cars  and  a  dining  car. 
besides  first  and  second  class  coaches,  leaves  Arica  at  1  p.  in.  on 
Mondays  and  arrives  at  La  Paz  the  next  day  at  2.20  p.  m.  The 
down  train  leaves  La  Paz  at  4  p.  m.  on  Thursday  and  reaches  Arica 
the  following  day  at  1  p.  m.  The  time  from  Arica  to  La  Paz  is 
thus  22',  hours  and  in  the  opposite  direction  21  hours.  The  fare 
for  the  through  trip  is  66.50  Chilean  pesos  or  34.90  bolivianos. 

Because  of  its  shortness  this  line  is  destined  to  be  of  great  impor- 
tance to  the  economic  development  of  the  northern  part  of  the 
Bolivian  plateau.  Though  it  is  forced  to  compete  with  the  Mollendo 
line  for  the  traffic  of  this  region,  it  has  certain  advantages  over  that 
line  as  a  freight  road.  Both  freight  and  passengers  are  carried 
directly  into  La  Paz  without  transshipment,  whereas  on  the  Mollendo 
line  goods  are  transshipped  at  Puno  and  Guaqui  and  on  the  Anto- 
fagasta  line  transshipment  is  necessary  at  Uyuni.  However,  the 
development-  of  the  business  of  this  line  has  keen  greatly  hindered 
by  its  lack  of  adequate  rolling  stock.  As  a  consequence  of  the  fre- 
quent congestion   of    traffic    it    has   keen   necessary  at    times   to  send 

out  freighl  by  Mollendo  or  Antofagasta  whose  Logical  outlet  was  l>\ 
Arica.     This  has  even  happened  with  copper  from  Corocoro.  which 

bad  to  he  shipped  by  Mollendo  through  an  arrangement  with  the 
Guaqui  line  lor  the  use  of  its  cars.  One  factor  in  causing  this  con- 
gestion   has    keen    the    rack    section,    where    the   special    type   of  loCO- 

nioi  ive  used  is  able  to  haul  hut  a  few  cars  at  a  time.     This  necessitates 

several    trips   in   order   to   lake   up  an   ordinary   train  of  loaded   car-. 

The  management  of  this  railway  is  also  handicapped  by  its  being 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  71 

Government  owned ,  whereas  its  competitors  are  private  enterprises. 
However,  the  Chilean  Government  has  recently  ordered  additional 
rolling  stock  and  a  serious  effort  is  being  made  to  improve  the  freight 
service.  With  sufficient  cars  and  locomotives  this  line  should  not 
only  control  the  external  traffic  of  most  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz 
but  should  be  able  to  take  much  more  of  the  traffic  of  the  Oruro  and 
Cochabamba  districts  than  now  falls  to  its  share.  For  some  classes 
of  freight  its  zone  of  attraction  could  also  be  extended  into  the 
Department  of  Potosi.  At  present  Corocoro  copper  constitutes  one 
of  the  most  important  items  of  its  business. 

The  volume  of  traffic  on  the  Bolivian  section  during  1918  was  as 
follows : 

Passengers -  -  29.  802 

Excess  baggage  and  parcels metric  tons. .         430 

Freight: 

Imports do. ...  36,  599 

Exports do ....  36,  219 

Total 72,  818 

Receipts  from  traffic  for  1918  are  not  yet  published.  The  total 
volume  of  all  classes  of  freight  for  the  first  five  years  of  the  operation 
of  the  line  were  as  follows:  1913,  47,000  metric  tons;  1914,  72,000 
tons;  1915,  97,000  tons;  1916,  105,000  tons;  1917,  216,000  tons. 
This  includes  local  business  on  both  sections  of  the  line.  In  1917, 
26,323  passengers  were  carried.  The  gross  receipts  for  the  1917  traffic 
were  as  follows: 

Chilean 
pesos. 

Passengers. 307,  964 

Excess  baggage  and  parcels 43,  838 

Freight 2,  983,  202 

Total 3,  470,  715 

Though  the  net  receipts  are  not  made  public,  it  is  known  that  this 
line  has  operated  at  a  profit,  being  the  only  one  of  the  Chilean  State 
railways-  to  have  a  favorable  balance. 

GUAQUI-LA  PAZ  RAILWAY. 

The  Guaqui-La  Paz  Railway  was  completed  into  La  Paz  in  1905, 
being  the  first  line  to  bring  La  Paz  into  railway  communication  with 
the  coast.  It  was  built  by  the  Bolivian  Government  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  the  plateau  region  an  outlet  to  the  Pacific  at  Mollendo  in 
Peru.  The  Southern  Railway  of  Peru  was  opened  as  far  as  Arequipa 
in  1871  and  by  1876  had  reached  Puno  on  Lake  Titicaca.  Previ- 
ously, commerce  between  Bolivia  and  the  coast  had  been  carried  on 
by  means  of  mules  and  llamas  and  over  trails  that  terminated  at  either 
Arica  or  one  of  the  northern  Chilean  ports.  The  construction  of  a 
railway  from  Lake  Titicaca  to  La  Paz  was  authorized  by  a  law  of 
October  25,  1900,  during  the  Pando  administration.  The  initial  costs 
of  construction  were  to  be  met  from  the  proceeds  of  the  alcohol 
monopoly  and  a  tax  on  rubber  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz.  The 
line  was  inaugurated  as  far  as  El  Kenko  on  the  heights  above  La 
Paz  in  October,  1903,  and  the  final  section  into  the  city  was  com- 
pleted in  November,  1905. 


72  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

The  railway  was  subsequently  leased  to  the  Peruvian  Corporation 
on  consideration  of  receiving  40  per  cenl  of  (he  annual  gross  receipts. 
After  1910  this  was  to  he  reduced  to  30  per  cent  for  four  years,  but 
after  L91  I  the  original  percentage  of  rental  was  to  go  into  enecl  again. 

Meanwhile  the  amount  of  the  Government's  obligations  to  the  bond- 
holders who  had  financed  the  construction  of  the  line  rose  to  £220,000 
(SI, 070, 030).  The  Government's  recognition  of  its  inability  to  meet 
this  debt  led  it  to  sell  the  line  outright  to  the  Peruvian  Corporation. 
The  sale,  which  took  place  on  July  15,  1910,  was  made  for  the  sum 
of  £374,912  ($1,824,509).  At  the'  same  time  the  Guaqui  mole  was 
leased  for  15  years  on  payment  of  35  per  cent  of  the  gross  receipts  of 
traffic  using  this  wharf.  The  Government  retained  the  privilege  of 
expropriating  the  railway  after  10  years.  The  Peruvian  Corporation 
caiiies  the  Guaqui-La  Paz  line  at  a  value  of  £396,320  ($1,928,691). 

Between  Mollendo  and  Puno,  Bolivian  traffic  uses  the  line  of  the 
Southern  Railway,  which  passes  through  Arequipa  and  Juliaca.  At 
Puno  goods  are  transshipped  to  the  steamers  of  the  Lake  Titicaca 
Navigation  Co.,  which  is  also  a  subsidiary  of  the  Peruvian  Corpora- 
tion. From  these  steamers  freight  is  transferred  at  Guaqui  to  the 
cars  of  the  Guaqui-La  Pa/.  Railway. 

The  distance  between  La  Paz  and  Guaqui  is  97.4  kilometers  (60 
miles).  The  line  passes  through  Yiacha,  and  from  El  Kenko,  at  the 
edge  of  the  basin  in  which  La  Paz  lies,  the  trains  arc  taken  into  the 
city  below,  a  distance  of  9.4  kilometers  (5.8  mifes)  by  means  of  elec- 
tric locomotives.  The  total  distance  between  Mollendo  and  La  Pa/ 
is  529  miles. 

The  maximum  grade  on  the  steam  section  is  2  per  cent  and  on  the 
electric  section  7  per  cent.  The  ties  used  are  of  Oregon  pine.  Light 
rails  weighing  40  pounds  to  the  yard  are  used  on  the  steam  section 
and  60-pound  rails  are  used  on  the  electric  section.  The  rolling  stock 
consists  of  6  locomotives,  11  passenger  coaches  on  the  steam  section 
and  4  on  the  electric  section,  2  baggage  coaches,  and  23  freight  cars. 
There  arc  2  steam  locomotives  of  28  metric  tons,  1  of  29  tons.  2  of  16 
tons,  and  I  switching  engine  of  15  tons.  The  total  capacity  of  the 
I  1   passenger  coaches  is  507  persons. 

The  general  manager  of  this  road  has  offices  in  the  Challapampa 
Station  at  La  Paz.  The  general  manager  of  the  Southern  Railway 
of  Peru  is  an  American,  whose  headquarters  arc  at  Arequipa. 

A  biweekly  passenger  service  is  operated  between  La  Paz  and  Mol- 
lendo. Details  of  this  service  will  be  given  in  the  Appendix  under 
the  heading  "Travel  Notes"  (see  p.  256). 

Jn  spite  of  fhe  efforts  of  its  management  to  attract  traffic  over  this 
route  by  the  reduction  of  freights  and  by  offering  other  inducements, 
the  Guaqui  line  ha-  losl  ground  to  its  rivals.  Though  its  Pacific 
terminal  of  Mollendo  is  farther  up  the  coast  than  Arica  and  Anto- 
fagasta  and  so  nearer  the  United  States  and  Europe,  it  suffers,  in 
comparison  with  the  Arica  route,  from  its  greater  length  and  from 
the  necessity  of  t  ransshipment  at  the  lake.  To  obviate  tin-  latter 
difficulty  it  has  been  proposed  to  build  a  line  around  the  lake  between 

Puno  ami  Guaqui.  However,  the  difference  in  gauge  between  the 
Bolivian  and  Peruvian  sections  of  the  system  would  prevent  the  ben- 
efits expected  from  Mich  a  connection  unless  a  third  rail  were  laid. 
The  countrj    exclusively   tributary   to  it      the  /one  about   Lake  Till- 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS. 


73 


caca — is  of  comparatively  small  commercial  importance,  as  it  con- 
tains no  large  towns  and  none  of  the  great  mining  centers.  The  line 
must  be  able  to  draw  on  the  region  farther  to  the  south  in  order  to 
insure  its  successful  operation. 

The  traffic  returns  on  the  Guaqui  line  for  the  fiscal  years  1917—18 
and  1918-19  were  as  follows: 


1917-1 s 


Pounds 
sterling. 


Gross  receipts !      56,299       273,979 

Operating  expenses ;      47,  .599 


Dollars. 


Pounds 
sterling. 


51, 025 
45,  589 


Net  receipts. 


8,700 


42, 338 


5,436 


Dollars. 


248,313 
221,859 


The  decrease  of  freight  traffic  for  these  two  years  amounted  to 
19,130  tons,  the  falling  off  in  imports  through  Mollendo  being  14,369 
tons.  In  1917-18  the  number  of  passengers  carried  was  78,766,  and 
in  1918-19  it  was  59,316.  During  1919  1,716  passengers  were  carried 
in  the  international  service.  During  the  first  six  months  of  1920  the 
quantity  of  freight  carried  by  the  Guaqui  line  fell  from  2,041,859 
kilos  in"  January  to  508,866  kilos  in  June,  largely  as  a  result  of  the 
strained  relations  which  prevailed  during  that  time  between  Bolivia 
and  Peru. 

There  is  a  keen  rivalry  between  the  three  routes  for  the  external 
freight  traffic  of  Bolivia.  In  this  competition  the  Arica  route  has 
rapidly  gained  an  increasingly  important  position. 

TAREJRA-COROCORO  RAILWAY. 

The  Tarejra-Corocoro  Railway,  which  is  only  about  5  miles  long, 
is  in  reality  a  spur  of  the  Arica-La  Paz  Railway.  It  was  built  by 
the  Bolivian  Government  in  order  to  give  the  Corocoro  copper-mining 
district  direct  access  to  the  international  line  to  Arica.  It  is  operated 
by  the  section  of  railways  of  the  Ministry  of  Public  Works  and  Industry. 
Its  construction  was  authorized  in  1911,  and  the  line  was  opened  to 
traffic  in  1914.  The  line  is  valued  at  520,296  bolivianos.  The  traffic 
returns  for  1918  were  as  follows: 


Items. 


Volume. 


Receipts. 


Passengers 15, 596 

Baggage  and  parcels metric  tons. .  I  479 

Freight do. . .  .1      34,434 

Miscellaneous I 


Total. 


/  "-'.',  lanos. 
11,671 

2.157 
9.3.10! 

5,33 


114,262 


The  gross  income  since  its  opening  to  traffic  has  been  as  follows: 
1914,  37,033  bolivianos;  1915,  84,634  bolivianos;  1916,  100,114  bo- 
livianos; 1917,  128,257  bolivianos;  1918,  114,262  bolivianos. 


74  BOLIVIA:    \    COMMERCIAL    AM>    [NDUSTEIAL    HANDBOOK. 

MACS  \(  A\l\l«  A-I'N(IA   RAILWAY. 

The  purpose  of  the  construction  of  this  line  was  to  give  the  mining 
district   of  Turin  an  outlet  to  the  main  line  of  the  Antofagasta  & 

Bolivia  Railway.  The  line,  which  is  being  built  by  Sr.  Simon  Patino, 
the  owner  of  the  CJncia  tin  mines,  starts  from  the  Machacamarca 
station  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia,  and  at  the  beginning  of  L920 
was  open  to  traffic  to  kilometer  60,  with  a  biweekly  train  service  each 
way.  I)  was  planned  to  complete  the  road  to  Uncia,  44  kilometers 
(27  miles)  farther,  during  1920.  This  railway,  which  also  serves  the 
mines  of  Huanuni  and  Llallagua,  is  later  to  be  prolonged  to 
Colquechaca, 

Tlie  traffic  carried  by  the  road  during  1918  was  as  follows; 


Ttems.  Volumes 




igeand  parcels metric  tons.. 

Freight do 


Total 


32,  ii". 
722 


Receipts. 


Bolivianos. 

13.762 

544,  2.>t 


627,794 


Traffic  receipts  were  about  100,000  bolivianos  more  than  during 
1917. 

UYUNI-HUANCHACA  LINE. 

This  short  line  was  built  from  Uyuni  to  the  mines  of  Huanchaca- 
Pulacayo  by  the  Compania  Huanchaca  de  Bolivia,  which  owns  these 
mines.  The  distance  from  Uyuni  to  Pulacayo  is  32  kilometers  (20 
miles).  The  extension  from  Pulacayo  to  Huanchaca  is  about  _<>.! 
miles  long,  with  a  tunnel  2  miles  in* length.  The  minimum  radius 
of  curves  is  360  feet  and  the  maximum  grade  is  3.25  per  cent.  The 
company  owns  five  locomotives,  some  old  passenger  coaches,  and  a 
number  of  freight  cars.  The  section  from  Uyuni  to  Pulacayo  cost 
B47,357  ($230,463).  The  line  is  used  for  carrying  supplies  to  the 
mining  camp  and  for  taking  out  ores  for  transshipment  at  Uyuni  to 
the  coast. 

<  OCHABAMBA-VINTO  AND  COCHABAMBA-ARANI  LINKS. 

These  two  short  lines,  which  run  out  of  Cochabamba,  are  operated 
by  a  local  power  company,  known  as  the  Empresa  Luz  y  Fucrza 
Kleetrica  de  Cochabamba!  One  of  these  roads  leads  through  the 
Punata  Valley  by  way  of  a  number  of  important  towns  to  Arani,  a 
distance  of  62  kilometers  (38$  miles).  The  other,  and  shorter,  line 
g  by  Quillacollo  to  Vintq.  The  company  holds  concessions  for 
i  he  extension  of  the  former  line  as  far  as  Totora  on  the  road  to  Santa 
Cruz,  and  for  the  prolongation  of  the  Vinto  line  to  Sipesipe.  The 
latter  line  roughly  parallels  the  Bolivia  Railway's  line  through  the 
same  territory.  The  construction  of  these  narrow-gauge  lines  ante- 
dates thai  of  the  railway  from  Oruro,  all  the  materials  having  been 
brought  in  by  cut  from  the  latter  point. 

For  the  construction  of  the  company's  lines  a  loan  of  6300,000 

11,459,950)   was  contracted   for  in   London  in   1910.     The  annual 

service  on  this  loan,  which  is  guaranteed  by  the  Bolivian  Govern- 


TKANSI'OKTATION    AND    COM  M  I '  X  I  (A  I  K  I  N  S. 


75 


ment,  amounts  to  £18,000  ($87,597).  At  the  end  of  1919  the  total 
payments  on  the  loan  had  reached  £85,440  ($415,794),  leaving  an 
unpaid  total  of  £214,560  ($1,044,156),  which  at  the  legal  rate  of 
exchange  then  in  force  amounted  to  2,682,000  bolivianos,  as  against 
the  equivalent  of  3,668,790  bolivianos  owed  in  1910.  The  total 
capital  at  present  amounts  to  2,515,900  bolivianos  in  addition  to  the 
amount  of  the  original  London  loan.  Part  of  this  is  invested  in  the 
so-called  ''unguaranteed  section"  of  the  company's  properties — that 
is,  in  lands,  an  electrically  operated  flour  mill,  the  tramways  of  the 
city  of  Cochabamba,  and  other  holdings.  The  largest  shareholder 
in  the  company  is  Sr.  Simon  Patino,  the  tin-mining  magnate.  Sr. 
Patino  holds  nearly  30,000  shares  of  stock,  out  of  a  total  of  50,318 
shares,  which  represents  the  2,515,900  bolivianos  of  capital  referred 
to  above.  This  was  brought  about  by  Sr.  Patifio's  subscribing  an 
additional  £120,000  ($583,980)  to  the  former  capital  stock  of  the 
company.  After  Sr.  Patino,  the  most  important  stockholders  are 
the  Suarez  rubber  interests,  Gustavo  Hinke  &  Co.,  and  the  Banco 
Hipotecario  Nacional. 

During  1919  the  operation  of  the  railway  lines  of  the  compan}^ 
showed  the  following  results: 


Items. 


Cochabamba-Vinto  line 

Coehabamba-Arani  line 

Deterioration  of  line  and  rolling  stock,  and  fund  for  renewal . 
Net  balance  applied  to  service  on  London  loan 


Total. 


Receipts. 


Bolivi- 
anos. 
141,149 
298, 129 


439, 72S 


Expenses. 


Bolit  i- 

anos. 
92,  464 

222, 44S 
70,000 
54, 366 


439, 72S 


During  the  same  period  the  profits  from  the  other  operations  of 
the  company — electric  light  and  power,  tramways,  etc. — amounted 
to  96,344  bolivianos. 

The  locomotives  used  on  the  Arani  line  are  small,  German,  wood- 
burning  engines.  The  increased  difficulty  of  obtaining  a  constant 
suppl}r  of  firewood  has  added  considerably  to  the  cost  of  operation 
of  this  section,  but  the  company  is  making  plans  for  the  electrifica- 
tion of  this  line.  The  company  places  the  total  value  of  its  rolling 
stock  at  505,719  bolivianos. 

A  daily  train  is  run  between  Cochabamba  and  Arani,  which  covers 
the  distance  in  about  four  hours,  or  at  the  rate  of  about  9  miles  an 
hour,  including  the  unnecessarily  long  stops  at  each  station.  The 
first-class  fare  between  the  two  points  is  only  3.60  bolivianos,  and 
half  that  for  third  class.  Because  of  the  propensity  of  the  natives 
for  railway  traveling  and  the  low  third-class  fares,  the  passenger 
traffic  is  heavy.  During  1919,  19,254  first-class,  69,988  second-class, 
and  342,285  third-class  tickets  were  sold,  making  a  total  of  431,527 
passengers  carried,  representing  total  fares  of  213,654  bolivianos. 
During  the  same  time  12,424,435  kilos  of  freight  were  carried,  with 
•a  total  return  of  only  84,475  bolivianos.  The  comparath  e  insignifi- 
cance of  the  freight  business  on  this  line  is  due  to  the  competition  of 
the  burro  traffic  on  the  good  road  that  parallels  the  railway.  How- 
ever,  receipts  from   freight   traffic   almost    trebled   during  the   three 


76  BOLIVIA:    \    COMMERCIAL    AND    [NDUSTEIAL    HANDBOOK. 

years  1917-li'l(.i.  after  having  remained  stationary  during  the  three 
previous  years. 

The  trains  on  the  short  Vinto  line,  which  is  only  L8  kilometers 
(11  miles)  long,  are  drawn  by  electric  locomotives,  current  for  which 
is  supplied  from  the  company's  power  station  at  Lncachaca.  At  this 
place,  which  is  situated  in  a  mountain  canyon  to  the  northeast  of 
Cochabamba  and  well  on  the  road  that  leads  down  into. the  Yungas, 
I. not)  horsepower  is  utilized.  The  present  installation,  which  is  of 
German  manufacture,  has  a  capacity  of  double  the  amount  of  current 
generated,  while  the  water  avail  a  hie  at  lncachaca  could  develop  4,000 
horsepower.  At  this  point  a  mountain  stream  has  been  canalized 
and  led  along  a  ridge  until  it  falls  200  feet  into  the  turbines  at  the 
power  plant.  This  station  not  only  furnishes  current  for  the  Yinto 
line  but  supplies  power  and  light  to  the  city  of  Cochabamba  and 
operates  the  local  tramway  lines. 

During  1919  the  total  number  of  passengers  carried  on  this  line 
was  539,118,  divided  as  follows:  First  class,  42,435;  second  class, 
47. "292;  and  third  class,  449,391.  The  returns  from  this  traffic 
amounted  to  only  1:55,750  bolivianos.  During  the  same  year  2,135,- 
I  19  kilos  of  freight  were  carried,  the  receipts  from  freight  traffic 
amounting  to  only  5,399  bolivianos.  Neither  freight  nor  passenger 
traffic  on  this  line  increased  dming  the  ^ix  years  1914-1919,  while 
operating  expenses  increased  to  such  an  extenl  that  profits  from 
operation  fell  from  SO, 103  to  48,685  bolivianos. 

RAILWAYS  UNDER  CONSTRUCTION. 

YUNGAS    RAILWAY. 

A  line  known  as  the  Yungas  Railway,  or  Ferrocarril  de  La  Paz  a 
Yungas,  is  now  being  constructed  to  connect  the  plateau  with  the 
Yungas  region.  The  initial  studies  for  this  route  were  made  by 
engineers  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.  and  of  the  Bolivia  Colonization  & 
Development  Co.,  which  was  one  of  the  interests  of  the  famous  Far- 
quhar  Syndicate.  A  national  law  of  November  17,  1914,  provided 
for  the  building  of  an  electric  1  ramway  from  I. a  Paz  to  "  the  Provinces 
of  the  Yungas,  with  the  view-  of  later  prolonging  the  line  to  a  naviga- 
ble point  on  the  River  Beni.  Construction  was  begun  in  April,  1915, 
and  the  J' ist  section  to  the  summit  was  opened  to  traffic  on  October 
'JO.  1919,  work  having  been  greatly  retarded  during  the  war  by  the 
inability  to  obtain  materials  from  abroad  and  also  by  the  lack  of  funds. 
The  moving  spirit  of  the  enterprise  has  been  the  Bolivian  engineer, 
Sr.  Carlos  Tejada  Sorzano,  who  has  had  charge  of  tin-  work  of  con- 
struction as  Director  General  of  the  Slate  Railways. 

The  railway,  which  started  with  a  fund  of  14,000  bolivianos,  cost 
to  the  ''iid  of  1919  approximately  6,366,000  bolivianos,  including 
advances  made  to  the  contractors  for  1920.  During  1915,  387,068 
bolivianos  were  expended;  during  1916,  396,831  bolivianos;  and 
during  1917,  988,085  bolivianos.  A  series  of  laws  placed  additional 
resources  at  the  disposal  of  the  work,  largely  in  the  form  of  depart- 
mental taxes  of  vrarious  kinds,  including  a  tax  of  I  boliviano  per 
metric  quintal   on   all   foreign   merchandise  entering  the   Department 

of   I  .a   Pax.     The  departmental   budget    for   1918   provided  for  the 


TRANSPORTATION   AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  77 

raising  of  the  following  sums  for  the  prosecution  of  work  on  the 
railway:  . 

^  Bolivianos. 

Tax  of  1  boliviano  per  quintal  on  imports  into  the  Department .  395,  579 

Tax  on  exportation  of  copper  produced  in  the  Department-  .  .  .  145,  088 

30  per  cent  of  profits  from  Government  tobacco  monopoly 181,  487 

Income  derived  from  operation  of  other  State  railways 49,  309 

Quota  of  departmental  tax  on  coca 145,  833 

Interest  on  deposits 2>  399 

Total 919,  695 

In  January,  1917,  a  loan  was  placed  through  the  New  York  bank- 
ing firm  of  Chandler  &  Co.  for  the  sum  of  $2,400,000.  At  a  rate  of 
90  this  loan  yielded  $2,160,000,  or  5,465,986  bolivianos.  The  rate 
of  interest  was  placed  at  6  per  cent  with  amortization  at  2  per  cent, 
making  an  annual  service  on  the  bonds  of  $192,000,  which  is  payable 
semiannually.  The  Equitable  Trust  Co.  was  associated  with  Chand- 
ler &  Co.  in  the  placing  of  the  loan.  An  effort  was  made  in  1920  to 
secure  an  additional  loan  in  the  United  States,  but  negotiations  were 
stopped  by  the  revolution  in  July.  In  1918  the  Director  General  of 
Railways  estimated  the  total  cost  of  the  line  to  Coroico  at  15,280,000 
bolivianos,  but  a  commission  appointed  to  study  the  project  in  that 
year  put  the  probable  cost  at  20,875,000  bolivianos.  The  first  sec- 
tion of  26.5  kilometers  (16^  miles)  cost  2,484,090  bolivianos,  or  at 
the  rate  of  £7,643  ($37,195)  to  the  kilometer.  The  director  general, 
Sr.  Tejada,  declares  that  a  maximum  average  cost  of  £8,000  ($38,900) 
per  kilometer  can  be  maintained  as  far  as  Pongo,  which  is  20  kilo- 
meters (12£  miles)  beyond  the  divide,  but  that  the  cost  per  kilometer 
from  that 'point  to  Chaco,  a  distance  of  about  26  kilometers  (16 
miles),  will  increase  to  between  £10,000  ($48,700)  and  £12,000 
($58,400)  per  kilometer.  However,  this  cost  is  lower  than  that  of 
most  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co.'s  lines,  notably  of  that  between 
Oruro  and  Cochabamba.  During  the  first  half  of  1920  about  250,000 
bolivianos  a  month  was  being  spent  on  the  work  of  construction. 
After  the  line  leaves  the  gorge  of  the  Unduavi  on  its  course  toward 
the  low  country  about  the  Beni,  the  cost  of  construction  per  kilo- 
meter will  decrease  greatly. 

Very  few  lines  anywhere  have  presented  such  difficulties  as  does 
the  building  of  this  transandine  railway.  In  the  74  kilometers 
(46  miles)  of  the  Unduavi  Canyon  above  the  Puente  de  Chupe  the 
line  falls  3,500  meters  (about  11,480  feet).  Between  kilometers  49 
and  64,  though  the  horizontal  distance  is  less  than  5  kilometers 
(3.1  miles),  the  distance  by  the  route  of  the  railway  is  15  kilometers 
(9.3  miles),  with  a  fall  of  717  meters  (3,575  feet).  For  one  section 
22  kilometers  (14  miles)  of  railway  are  needed  to  cover  a  distance  of 
10  kilometers  (6.2  miles)  in  the  air  line,  and  there  is  a  drop  of  1,500 
meters  (4,920  feet).  This  necessitates  the  use  of  the  longest  stretch 
of  6  per  cent  grade  on  any  line  in  the  world.  Below  the  Quebrada, 
or  gorge,  of  Anasani,  which  begins  at  about  kilometer  70,  the  grade 
will  be  reduced  to  3  per  cent,  while  the  fall  of  the  Tamampaya  Valley 
below  the  Puente  de  Chupe  (kilometer  106)  is  between  1|  an(i  2 
per  cent. 

Not  only  are  the  mountainsides,  along  which  the  line  must  be 
built,  extremely  steep,  but  the  character  of  the  rock  formation  makes 
the  building  of  a  solid  roadbed  very  difficult.     Much  of  this  formation 


78  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND    [NDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

•  •(insists  of  slate  and  shale,  whose  strata  lie  parallel  to  the  slope  of  the 

mountainside,  thus  increasing  the  probability  of  slides.  As  a  result, 
masonry  bulwarks  have  had  to  be  put  in  over  long  stretches  to  keep 
the  roadbed  from  slipping.  In  other  places  the  gravelly  composition 
of  the  ground  makes  it  difficult  to  anchor  the  track.  Added  to  these 
difficulties  is  a  heavy  and  humid  growth  of  vegetation,  which  it  is 
very  hard  to  clear  oil'  and  next  to  impossible  to  burn,  even  during 
the  dry  season. 

In  .lime,  1920,  about  3,000  workmen  were  engaged  in  the  construc- 
tion work  along  the  route  through  the  Unduavi  Canyon.  These  men 
were  paid  an  average  wage  of  2.40  bolivianos  a  day.  The  laborers 
were  Indians  and  eholos  from  across  the  divide,  as  t lie  natives  of  the 
Yungas  are  too  few  in  numbers  and  unfitted  for  this  kind  of  work. 

It  has  been  difficult  to  hold  these  workmen,  as  they  tend  to  drift 
back  to  their  homes  on  the  "altiplano"  or  to  go  to  other  localities 
where  higher  wages  are  paid. 

By  the  middle  of  L920  rails  had  been  laid  almost  to  the  Rinconada 
camp  i kilometer  35),  and  the  preparation  of  the  roadbed  was  under 
way  as  far  as  Yerbabuenani  (kilometer  62).  It  was  then  proposed 
to  nave  the  rails  laid  as  far  as  Pongo  (kilometer  40)  by  the  end  of 
August,  hut  construction  was  stopped  by  the  revolution  which 
occurred  in  July  and  by  the  expatriation  of  the  director  general  of 
railways.  Foreign  engineers  wrho  have  gone  over  the  line  declare 
the  work  to  be  of  a  very  high  quality,  including  the  tunnel  and  bridge 
work  so  far  completed.  No  switchbacks  or  cog  tracks  are  to  be  used, 
but  the  excessive  differences  in  levels  are  overcome  by  means  of 
compensated  grades.  The  amount  of  earth  work  is  very  large,  the 
excavations  amounting  to  70,000  cubic  meters  (91,553  cubic  yards) 
per  kilometer  (0.62  mile)  over  a  considerable  part  of  the  route.  The 
ties  used  are  of  redwood,  which  cost  at  the  rate  of  .S3  gold  apiece. 

The  present  equipment  of  the  line  includes  two  Shea  locomotives, 
which  were  bought  in  1917  at  $9,000  each.  Another  of  these  engines. 
which  have  been  found  excellently  adapted  to  mountain  use.  was 
ordered  during  1920.  In  addition,  the  rolling  stock  consists  of  21 
cars  of  various  kind-,  which  were  purchased  from  the  United  States. 

Traffic  was  opened  to  the  Chimbre  or  summit  in  October,  1919. 
A  weekly  passenger  service  is  maintained  over  this  section  of  the  line, 
the  train  leaving  the  Chijini  Station  at  La  Pa/  at  7.30  a.  m.  on 
Thursdays,  and  returning  the  same  day.  The  one-way  first-class 
fare  is  5.20  bolivianos,  and  half  that  for  second  class.  Traffic  is  still 
light,  as  the  Indians,  who  drive  pack  animals  to  and  from  La  Paz 
over  I  lie  Yungas  road,  do  not  break  their  journey  at  the  end  of  the 
railway. 

Though  there  has  been  much  discussion  as  to  the  exact  route 
which  the  railway  is  to  follow  after  leaving  the  gorge  of  the  I  nduavi. 
the  town  of  Conpata  has  been  lived  as  the  immediate  objective  of 
the  line  The  I .- 1 w  of  December  IS.  1918,  which  prescribed  this 
route,  also  provided  (hat  a  branch  should  be  extended  on  from 
Coripata  to  Coroico.  In  order  to  conciliate  the  interests  of  the 
Province  of  Sur  Yungas,  it  is  understood  that  another  branch  is  to 
he  built  to  Chulumani  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  Bridge  of  Chupe, 
which  is  the  geographical  center  of  the  entire  region.  The  ultimate 
objective  of  the  line  is  the  head  of  steam  navigation  on  the  River 
Beni,  which  may  he  placed  at  Rurrenabaque,  about  218  miles  from 


TRANSPORTATION    AND   COMMUNICATIONS. 


79 


La  Paz.  There  is  a  choice  of  three  routes  to  the  Beni,  according  as 
the  line  follows  the  valley  of  either  the  Coroico,  the  Tamampaya,  or 
the  La  Paz.  Whatever  route  is  chosen  for  the  purpose,  the  work  of 
construction  on  this  final  stage  of  the  line  will  be  much  easier  than 
on  the  initial  sections  into  the  Yungas. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  distances  from  La  P;iz  and  the 
height  above  sea  level  of  different  points  on  the  route. 


Places. 


Cumbre  (Abra  de  Huacuyo) 

Rinconada 

Pon  go 

Cucuta 

San  Felipe 

Yerbabuenani 

Neque  Jaliuira 

Chaco 

Puente  Anasani 

Puente  de  Chupe 

Coripata . . ' 

Coroico 

Chulumani 

Rnrrenabaque 


Distance  from  La 
Paz. 


Kilo- 
meters. 


26J 

35" 
46 
49 
62 
63), 
70" 
78 
80 
106 
126 
161 
131 
350 


Miles. 


164 
22" 
29 
30 
39 
391. 
43" 
48 
50 
66 
78 

100 
81 

217 


Altitude. 


Feet. 


4,610 
4,196 
3, 630 
3,  118 
2,720 
2,592 
2, 070 
1,895 
1,750 
1,118 
1,674 
1,725 
1,730 


15, 223 
13,766 

11,909 
11,214 
8,924 
8,504 
0,791 
6,217 
5,741 
3, 66S 
5,492 
5, 659 
5,676 


Because  of  the  high  price  of  coal  and  the  presence  of  large  stores 
of  water  power  along  the  route  of  the  railway,  it  has  been  decided 
to  electrify  the  line.  On  March  26,  1920,  a  contract  was  signed  in 
New  York  between  the  Bolivian  consul  general  and  Maj.  James  P. 
Bradnei,  U.  S.  A.,  for  the  making  of  the  necessary  studies.  Maj. 
Bradner  went  over  the  route  in  June  and  reported  favorably  on  the 
possibilities  of  electrification.  There  is  no  question  as  to  the  ade- 
quacy of  the  water  supply,  but  the  principal  problems  presented  are 
those  of  the  location  and  installation  of  the  hydroelectric  plant,  as  the 
porous  character  of  much  of  the  rock  presents  difficulties  in  the 
construction  of  a  dam. 

The  freight  traffic  of  the  Yungas  section  of  the  line  will  consist 
largely  of  agricultural  products  of  the  region,  such  as  coca,  coffee,  and 
fruits,  all  of  which  are  capable  of  production  in  much  greater  quan- 
tities. Other  items  in  the  freight  business  of  the  road  will  be  min- 
erals and  firewood.  The  large  stores  of  small  timber  in  the  Yungas 
can  be  drawn  on  to  supply  the  serious  dearth  of  fuel  on  the  plateau. 
In  addition,  this  promises  to  be  the  finest  scenic  line  in  South  America 
and  one  of  the  finest  in  the  world.  When  once  the  region  of  the  Beni 
is  reached,  the  volume  of  freight  should  increase  greatly.  Though 
still  largely  virgin  territory,  this  rich  area  is  capable'of  great  develop- 
ment as  soon  as  a  market  is  found  for  its  potential  products.  This 
traffic  should  consist  of  lumber,  cattle,  cotton,  cacao,  and  tobacco. 
In  fact,  the  significance  of  the  Yungas  Railway  largely  lies  in  its 
opening  up  the  Beni  country  rather  than  in  its  position  as  a  local 
road  to  serve  the  Yungas  district. 

ATOCHA-LA    QUI  At' A. 

The  bridging  of  the  gap  between  the  Bolivian  and  Argentine  rail- 
heads at,  respectively,  Atocha  and  La  Quiaca  is  of  great  importance  in 
that  this  railway  will  furnish  through  connections  between  the  two 


80  BOLIVIA;    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    IXIU'STKIAL    HANDBOOK. 

Republics  and  direct  communications  between  La  Paz  and  Buenos 
Aires.  At  present  the  12.")  miles  which  lie  between  Atocha  and  La 
Quiaca  must  still  be  covered  by  mule,  though  the  road  is  passable  by 
automobile  from  about  the  middle  of  May  to  about  the  middle  of 
November.  Atocha  is  the  southern  terminus  of  the  Bolivia  Kail- 
way's  branch  from  Qyuni,  where  connections  are  made  with  the  main 
line  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia.  La  Quiaca  is  the  northern  ter- 
minus of  the  Argentine  Central  Northern,  a  govejrnment-owned, 
meter-gauge  line,  which  makes  connections  at  Tucuman  with  the 
Central  Argentine  and  the  Central  Cordoba  for  Buenos  Aires.  It  is 
situated  on  the  frontier  and  directly  opposite  the  Bolivian  village  of 
Villazon.  Almost  midway  between  the  two  points  lies  the  town  of 
Tupiza,  which  forms  the  dividing  line  between  the  two  sections  in 
which  the  railway  is  to  be  built.  The  existing  trade  route,  which  the 
line  of  the  railway  will  roughly  follow,  leads  through  a  region  of 
mountains,  running  along  the  rocky  bed  of  a  river  and  across  upland 
pampas  or  plateaus  for  much  of  the  wray. 

The  effecl  of  the  railway,  when  completed  to  Atocha,  will  un- 
doubtedly be  to  strengthen  greatly  the  commercial  relations  between 
Bolivia  and  Argentina.  It  will  not  only  offer  a  better  market  to  some 
of  the  products  of  the  Provinces  of  Jujuy,  Salta,  and  Tucuman,  bul 
will  furnish  the  means  of  importing  manufactured  goods  into  Bolivia 
from  as  far  as  Buenos  Aires — a  traffic  that  has  hitherto  been  seriously 
handicapped  by  the  difficulties  of  transport  between  the  frontier  and 
the  Bolivian  railhead  at  Atocha.  It  should  thus  enable  Argentine 
manufacturers  to  compete  with  those  of  Chile,  as  well  as  with  Ameri- 
can and  European  products  in  the  same  lines,  unless  the  through 
freight  rates  should  prove  prohibitive.  Some  of  the  mineral  pro- 
duction of  the  Lipez  and  Chichas  Provinces  to  the  south  of  I'vuni 
should  also  find  an  improved  outlet  by  this  route,  though  much  of 
this  must  continue  to  go  around  by  Antofagasta. 

Imports  from  Argentina  into  Bolivia  through  Villazon  during  L918 
amounted  to  a  total  of  7,049,812  kilos  (kilo=2.2046  pounds),  repre- 
senting a  value  of  3,196,962  bolivianos,  or  9.13  per  cent  of  the  value 
of  all  imports  into  Bolivia  during  the  same  year.  Part  of  tins  traffic 
was  diverted  directly  to  the  northeast  from  Villazon  to  Tarija  and 
llms  was  not  carried  over  the  road  by  Tupi/.a  and  Atocha.  The 
principal  items  imported  were  horses,  cattle,  flour,  sugar,  and  rela- 
tively large  imports  of  cotton  goods,  cashmircs.  paten;  leather  for 
shoes,  and  women's  wearing  apparel.  During  1918,  6,307,448  kilos 
were  exported  through  the  same  customhouse,  to  a  value  of  5,289,733 
bolivianos,  or  only  2.9  per  cent  of  the  value  of  all  Bolivian  exports 
for  that  year.     The  principal  articles  of  export  were  as  follows: 


\n  i'  li 

Kilns. 

Bolivianos. 

(,649, 000 
387,942 
615,000 
256,68-! 
33,  120 
152,023 
199,397 

1 .  TT'.i.  982 

517,  122 

568,002 

Won]                                          

190,  130 

MM.                                                            

TRANSPORTATION   AND   COMMUNICATIONS.  81 

As  a  passenger  line  this  railway  will  offer  another  transcontinental 
connection  between  the  west  coast  and  the  River  Plate.  Travelers 
landing  at  Mollendo  or  Arica,  bound  for  Buenos  Aires,  would  be  able 
to  cut  two  or  three  days  off  the  time  by  Valparaiso  and  the  Transan- 
dine  Railway.  In  winter  the  saving  should  be  even  greater,  as  this 
line  would  always  be  free  from  snow.  If  an  international  agreement 
were  made  to  that  effect,  through  trains  could  be  run  between  La 
Paz  and  Tucuman,  so  that  passengers  disembarking  at  Arica  would 
only  be  obliged  to  change  at  these  two  points  on  their  way  to  Buenos 
Aires.  However,  much  of  its  advantage  as  a  transcontinental 
passenger  route  would  be  nullified  by  the  construction  of  the  proposed 
line  between  Antofagasta  and  Salta,  which  would  furnish  a  shorter  cut- 
off across  the  Andes  than  would  be  supplied  by  either  the  Arica- 
Oruro-La  Quiaca  connection  or  that  by  Antofagasta-Uyuni-La 
Quiaca. 

By  a  law  of  December  5,  1912,  the  Bolivian  Congress  authorized 
the  contracting  of  a  loan  for  £1,000,000  to  finance  the  building  of  the 
section  of  the  railway  between  Tupiza  and  La  Quiaca.  On  February 
.  1,  1913,  the  French  Credit  Mobilier  agreed  to  take  the  loan  at  90 
per  cent  net,  with  interest  at  5  per  cent  and  amortization  at  1  per  cent. 
The  capital  and  interest  were  to  be  paid  in  pounds  sterling  at  the 
fixed  exchange  rate  of  25.20  francs  to  the  pound. 

Negotiations  for  the  construction  of  the  line  were  opened  with  the 
French  firm  of  Vezin  et  Cie.,  and  on  August  23,  1915,  the  Congress 
accepted  the  Vezin  proposals.  The  Vezins  agreed  to  build  the  line 
for  £900,000  ($4,379,850)  and  to  complete  it  within  three  years. 
Construction  was  actually  begun  on  September  20  of  the  same  year, 
and  48  kilometers  (30  miles)  of  roadbed  were  completed  before  the 
w^ork  was  suspended.  Disagreement  between  the  Government  and 
the  contracting  firm  had  meanwhile  arisen  over  some  of  the  details 
of  construction,  and  the  contractors  alleged  war  conditions  as  the 
reason  for  their  inability  to  prosecute  the  work  in  accordance  with  the 
original  program.  At  the  time  the  Government  agreed  to  the  rescind- 
ing of  tlie  contract,  but  Vezin  et  Cie.  demanded  3,640,874  francs 
(8702,689)  as  compensation  in  addition  to  the  payments  that  had 
already  been  made  for  the  work  completed.  Through  negotiations 
between  the  French  Minister  in  La  Paz  and  the  Minister  of  Public 
Works  an  agreement  was  arranged  for  the  continuation  of  the 
work.  The  time  for  completion  was  extended  two  years,  but  on 
condition  that  the  company  should  be  fined  200,000  francs  ($386,000) 
for  each  month  of  delay  beyond  this  time.  The  first  48  kilometers 
(30  miles)  were  to  be  railed  at  once,  though  at  that  time  it  was 
difficult  to  obtain  rails  abroad  or  to  secure  their  delivery.  Shortly 
after  this,  news  reached  Bolivia  of  the  death  of  M.  Vezin,  the  head  of 
the  contracting  firm,  upon  which  efforts  were  begun  in  the  Bolivian 
Congress  to  secure  the  nullification  of  the  contract.  The  Vezin 
heirs  demanded  1,840,756  bolivianos  for  the  liquidation  of  the  con- 
tract. The  Government  objected  to  this  sum  as  excessive,  but  agreed 
to  pay  780,000  bolivianos  in  case  certain  specific  claims  of  the  Vezins 
were  found  justifiable.  It  was  then  proposed  to  make  a  physical 
valuation  of  the  work  already  done  by  the  Vezin  contractors  as  a 
basis  for  further  proceedings.  With  this  understanding  the  contract 
was  formally  abrogated  by  the  Congress  late  in  1919. 
44462°— 21 6 


82  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMEBCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

In  accordance  with  a  law  of  May  12,  1920,  a  contract  was  signed  on 
June  10  between  the  Bolivian  Government  and  the  (inn  of  Lavenas, 
Poli&  Co.  for  the  completion  of  the  work  left  unfinished  by  the  Yezins. 
This  Argentine  company  had  acted  as  subcontractor  under  the 
Yezin  contract  and  was  thoroughly  familiar  with  conditions  of 
construction  on  the  route.  At  the  time  the  Lavenas-Poli  contract 
was  made  the  Government  had  expectations  of  placing  a  loan  in  the 
United  States,  part  of  the  proceeds  of  which  was  to  he  applied  to 
financing  this  work.  However,  the  revolution  of  July  interfered  with 
the  Government's  plans  in  this  connection  and  prevented  a  renewal 
of  construction.  Subsequently  the  contract  with  the  Argentine  firm 
was  annulled  for  nonfullillment. 

According  to  a  report  from  Vice  Consul  Nelson  R.  Park,  at  La  Paz, 
under  date  of  March  12,  1921,  a  contract  has  been  signed  between 
the  Bolivian  Government  and  an  American  firm  for  the  financing 
and  construction  of  the  railway  from  La  Quiaca  toAtocha.  The  Amer- 
ican company  engages  to  negotiate  a  loan  of  87,000,000  in  favor  of 
the  Bolivian  Government  to  cover  the  expense  of  construction  and 
equipment  of  this  railway,  and  to  complete  the  road  by  August  1, 
1925.  As  the  work  progresses,  completed  sections  of  10  kilometers 
are  to  be  turned  over  to  the  Bolivian  Government.  Thirty  miles  of 
the  railway  from  the  La  Quiaean  end  are  ready  for  the  laying  of  the 
rails,  and  other  parts  of  the  La  Quiaea-Tupiza  section.  62  miles  long, 
are  also  under  construction.  The  Tupiza-Atocha  section,  (>U  miles 
in  length,  has  not  yet  been  started.  Total  expenditures  on  the 
entire  La  Quiaca-Atocha  line  up  to  November  25,  1920,  principally 
payments  to  previous  contractors,  have  been  4,663,509  bolivianos. 

The  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway  Go.  formerly  held  a  concession 
for  the  construction  of  the  section  from  Atocha  to  Tupiza,  which  is 
in  reality  merely  the  continuation  of  the  Bolivia.  Railway's  route  from 
Uyuni,  on  which  work  was  abandoned  after  Atocha  was  reached. 
However,  on  this  company's  failure  to  complete  the  road  to  Tupiza, 
the  Government  decided  to  undertake  the  Work  on  its  own  account. 
In  December,  1916,  the  Congress  authorized  the  raising  of  £1,000,000 
by  means  of  a  foreign  loan.  Early  in  the  following  January  the 
President  issued  a  decree  to  this  effect,  with  the  provision  that  the 
Government's  shares  in  the  Banco  de  la  X.icion.  together  with  a 
mortgage  on  the  line  to  be  built,  would  be  offered  as  guaranty. 
However,  negotiations  with  American  bankers  fell  through,  and  the 
work  was  deferred  to  a  more  favorable  time. 

POTOSl    si  (  i.'i  . 

The  Potosi-Sucre  line  is  being  built  to  give  the  old  capital  of  Bo- 
livia an  outlet  over  the  main  railway  system  of  the  country.  At 
presenl  Sucre,  which  lies  aiiont  170  kilometers  to  the  northeast  o( 
rotosi,  i-  largely  isolated  during  part  of  the  rainy  season,  as,  during 
this  time  of  ihe  year,  the  regular  automobile  service  between  tin1 
two  cities  is  suspended  and  traffic  is  limited  to  mules. 

Though   this  railway  had   been  discussed   {\>\-  a  long  time,  nothing 

definite  was  done  until  L916.  In  January  of  that  year  Congress 
asked  for  proposals  for  construction.  The  Government  offered  a 
c»  per  cenl  guaranty  for  20  years  and  offered  as  security  for  the 
guaranty  the  following  resource.-:  The  sum  of  2,03  i ."> 1 7  bolivianos 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  83 

deposited  in  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion,  with  interest  on  this  sum ;  a  tax 
of  1  boliviano  on  every  metric  quintal  of  foreign  merchandise  destined 
for  the  Departments  of  Chuquisaca  and  Potosi;  and  100,000  bolivi- 
anos annually  for  10  years,  beginning  in  1917.  Construction  was 
started  in  November,  1916,  and  the  first  locomotive  reached  the 
town  of  Betanzos,  about  55  kilometers  (34  miles)  out  of  Potosi,  on 
June  30,  1918.  This  is  less  than  one-third  of  the  total  distance,  and, 
moreover,  the  country  still  to  be  traversed  is  extremely  rough.  The 
most  difficult  feature  of  the  work  in  this  section  is  the  crossing  of  the 
deep  valley  of  the  Pilcomayo. 

The  slow  progress  made  on  the  line  has  been  due,  not  only  to  the 
difficult  nature  of  the  country  traversed,  but  also  to  the  lack  of 
funds.  Resort  has  been  had  to  special  taxes  and  to  both  internal 
and  foreign  loans,  but  none  of  these  have  yielded  the  amounts 
expected.  To  June  30,  1918,  the  Government  had  turned  over 
3,950,000  bolivianos  for  use  on  the  line,  or  about  150,000  bolivianos 
in  excess  of  the  total  yield  of  all  the  resources  devoted  to  the  work. 
In  1918  the  following  special  funds  were  collected: 

Bolivianos. 
Tax  of  1  boliviano  per  metric  quintal  on  foreign  merchandise  in- 
troduced into  the  Departments  of  Potosi  and  Chuquisaca 287, 296 

Tax  of  20  per  cent  on  importation  of  foreign  liquors 21,  456 

Revenue  derived  from  the  tobacco  monopoly 181,  486 

Tax  on  sale  of  ' '  aji "  in  Department  of  Chuquisaca 9,  657 

Revenues  appropriated  from  the  treasury  of  Potosi 55,  720 

Patents  on  oil  lands 58,  210 

Interest  on  deposits 583 

Total 614,  408 

A  law  of  October  5,  1918,  provided  for  the  raising  of  a  £1,000,000 
loan  for  the  work,  but  the  Government  was  unable  to  place  the  loan 
abroad.  Efforts  at  an  internal  loan  failed,  but  three  banks  agreed 
to  advance  the  Government  1,950,000  bolivianos  to  carry  on  the 
work.  Meanwhile,  the  special  revenues  enumerated  above  are  being 
collected,  though  their  annual  yield  fluctuates  considerably  and  their 
aggregate  is  not  sufficient  to  give  a  vigorous  impulse  to  the  work. 

Early  in  1920  a  semiweekly  passenger  service  was  opened  between 
Potosi  and  Betanzos,  but  freight  traffic  has  not  yet  been  initiated. 
Although  the  line  when  completed  will  be  of  great  advantage  to  the 
city  of  Sucre  and  its  tributary  country,  it  is  highly  doubtful  whether 
there  will  be  sufficient  traffic  for  many  years  to  pay  a  return  on  the 
large  investment  necessary  for  its  completion. 

PROJECTED  RAILWAYS. 

COCHABAMBA-SANTA    CRUZ. 

A  line  to  connect  Santa  Cruz  with  the  plateau  is  one  of  the  most 
imperative  railway  needs  of  Bolivia.  This  need  is  not  only  economic, 
but  political,  for  such  a  line  would  not  only  give  the  needed  impulse 
to  the  development  of  the  fertile  but  now  almost  stagnant  region  of 
Santa  Cruz,  but  would  link  that  isolated  portion  of  Bolivia  with  the 
rest  of  the  Republic— a  measure  that  might  be  necessary  to  insure 
the  territorial  integrity  of  the  nation.  At  present  communications 
between  the  two  parts  of  the  country  are  limited  to  long  mule  trails 
through   the  intervening  mountains.     The   total   distance  between 


84  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AM>    [NDUSTBIAL    HANDBOOK. 

Cochabamba  and  Santa  Cruz  by  the  Totora-Samaipata  trail  is  about 
269  miles,  which  it  requires  nearly  two  weeks  to  cover  on  muleback. 
The  narrow-gauge  railway  of  the  Empresa  Luz  y  Fuerza  follows  this 
road  for  more  than  60  kilometers  (32  miles)  out  of  Cochabamba,  or 
as  far  as  Arani.  Thence  to  Totora,  90  kilometers  (49  miles)  farther, 
the  road  can  he  used  by  automobiles  during  part  of  the  dry  season. 
Beyond  Totora  the  road  leads  through  extremely  ru^'d  country 
until  it  reaches  the  plains  in  which  Santa  Cruz  lies,  some  of  the 
ranges  cutting  transversely  across  the  route  followed  by  the  road. 

Three  different  routes  have  been  suggested  from  Cochabamba, 
though  in  each  of  these  there  are  many  variations  of  detail.  Also, 
there  are  local  interests  that  favor  Sucre  as  the  terminal  for  a  line 
to  Santa  Cruz,  though  the  burden  of  disinterested  opinion  is  in  favor 
of  Cochabamba.  The  route  generally  proposed  is  that  which  would 
follow  approximately  the  present  mule  trail  by  Totora  and  Pampa- 
grande.  A  second  route  would  strike  northeastward  across  the 
mountains  from  Cochabamba  to  the  low  country  about  the  Cbimore, 
whence  it  would  follow  the  base  of  the  foothills  of  the  Andes  around 
by  Buenavista  to  Santa  Cruz.  Such  a  line  would  give  Cochabamba 
connections  with  both  the  Beni  and  Santa  Cruz  regions.  It  would, 
however,  necessitate  a  large  amount  of  bridge  building,  and  the 
maintenance  of  tin-  line  in  the  rainy  mon  tafia  region  would  he  diffi- 
cult and  costly.  The  third  alternative  would  be  a  line  by  the  valley 
of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  railway  cither  would  enter  the  valley  direct  ly 
at  Capinota,  on  the  line  between  Oruro  and  Cochabamba,  or  would 
climb  over  into  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Mizque  from  some  point  in  the 
Punata  Valley  and  continue  thence  to  the  junction  of  the  Mizque 
with  the  Rio' Grande.  This  route  would  offer  a  natural  and  easy 
gradient  all  the  way  to  Santa  Cruz,  but  over  against  this  advantage 
there  must  be  set  the  length  of  the  route,  due  to  the  long  detour  of 
the  Rio  Grande  to  the  south,  and  the  probability  of  slides  and  wash- 
outs on -a  line  which  w^ould  have  to  be  built  on  a  ledge  in  a  deep  river 
valley. 

The  cost  of  building  the  road  by  any  of  the  suggested  routes  would 
he  great.  An  American  engineer,  who  made  a  thorough  reconnais- 
sance of  the  Totora  route  early  in  1920,  estimated  the  probable  cos1 
by  that  route  at  between  $40,000,000  and  $50,000,000,  with  the  like- 
lihood that  the  cost  would  he  nearer  the  latter  than  the  former  figure. 
Either  figure  would  place  the  cost  per  mile  at  more  than  $100,000. 

The  construction  of  such  a  line  has  long  been  under  consideration 
in  spite  of  the  general  realization  of  the  heavy  cost.  The  Government 
began  to  set  aside  the  income  from  certain  revenues  in  1916  to  he 
devoted  to  the  cost  of  financing  its  construction.  To  the  end  of  L918 
the  special  sources  of  income  devoted  to  the  work  produced  the  follow- 
in-  sums:  L916,  55,537  bolivianos;  L917,  320,870  bolivianos;  L918, 
242,789  bolivianos;  total,  ill'. hint',  bolivianos.  In  addition  to  this 
sum,  L31,047  bolivianos  raised  from  taxes  on  the  introduction  oi 
foreign  merchandise  into  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz  and  on 
alcohol  and  hran.lv  were  sel  apart  for  this  purpose,  making  an 
aggregate  of  750,243  bolivianos.     At    the   figure   given  above   tins 

would  provide  lor  the  const  rnctoin  of  less  than  .'!  miles  of  line. 

A  national  law  of  December  3,  1917,  authorized  the  construction 
of  a  line  to  connect   the  two  cities,  and  a  presidential  decree  of  Decern- 


TRANSPORTATION    AND   COMMUNICATIONS.  85 

her  28  reconfirmed  the  earlier  laws  which  destined   the  following 
resources  to  a  fund  for  such  a  railway : 

The  sum  forfeited  by  a  former  railway  concessionaire  for  failure  To  carry  out  the 
terms  of  his  concession,  amounting  to  125,000  bolivianos. 

Tax  of  1  boliviano  per  metric  quintal  of  foreign  merchandise  destined  to  consump- 
tion in  the  Department  of  Cochabamba,  as  provided  by  law  of  October  19,  1916. 

Same  for  Department  of  Santa  (  ruz,  as  provided  by  law  of  November  24,  1915. 

The  product  to  be  derived  from  the  consolidation  of  rubber  lands  in  the  Depart- 
ments of  Cochabamba,  Santa  Cruz,  and  El  Beni,  in  accordance  with  a  law  of  November 
8,  1917. 

Tax  on  State  lands  acquired  by  individuals,  as  fixed  bylaw  of  November  8,  1917, 
and  the  proceeds  of  any  subsequent  taxes  of  the  same  character. 

The  Government  has  shown  no  disposition  to  put  a  tax  on  land 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  money  for  the  building-  of  this  or  any 
other  railway.  To  carry  out  an  enterprise  of  this  magnitude  a 
foreign  loan  would  have  to  be  raised  on  a  scale  far  in  excess  of  all 
such  loans  hitherto  contracted  by  the  Bolivian  Government.  The 
traffic  that  would  be  carried  by  a  line  from  Santa  Cruz  would  include 
sugar,  cotton,  tobacco,  cattle,  hogs,  hides,  hay,  lumber,  and,  in  all 
probability,  petroleum. 


COCHABAMBA-KL    BENI. 


Another  long-standing  railway  project  is  that  for  linking  up  the 
city  of  Cochabamba  with  the  plains  country  of  the  Beni  region.  At 
present  communications  between  these  two  districts  are  furnished  by 
the  mule  trail  over  the  Cordillera  Oriental  to  Todos  Santos  on  the 
Chimore  and  the  launches  from  the  Mamore  which  ply  up  the  Chimore 
to  that  point.  Several  years  ago  a  concession  was  granted  to  Sr. 
Simon  Patino  for  the  construction  of  a  railway  line  to  connect  the 
plateau  at  Cochabamba  with  some  point  in  the  upper  Mamore  Basin. 
There  has  been  much  lack  of  agreement  as  to  the  route  to  be  followed. 
One  route  would  terminate  at  the  junction  of  the  Chimore  and  the 
Ichilo,  while  an  alternative  route  would  follow  the  Rio  Isoboro,  along 
which  the  concessionaire  has  vast  holdings  of  land,  to  a  point  where 
the  river  is  navigable  for  steamers.  Construction  by  either  route 
would  entail  an  enormous  outlay  of  money,  as  railway  building  in  both 
the  mountain  region  and  the  lowlands,  which  are  inundated  for  several 
months  in  the  year,  would  be  extremely  difficult  and  costly.  Sr. 
Patino's  concession,  after  several  previous  extensions,  was  renewed 
for  another  six  months  early  in  1920,  but  the  chances  are  small  that 
work  will  be  undertaken  under  this  concession.  A  railway  to  the 
Beni  would  furnish  a  much-needed  connection  between  the  highland 
region  of  Cochabamba  and  the  rich  but  undeveloped  plains  country 
to  the  northeast,  which  now  finds  its  most  practicable  outlet  through 
the  Amazon,  but  the  problem  of  financing  such  a  line  constitutes  a 
most  serious  obstacle  to  its  construction. 


SANTA    CRUZ-PARAGUAY    RIVER. 


There  have  been  several  projects  for  giving  the  Santa  Cruz  region 
a  railway  outlet  to  the  Paraguay  River.  Efforts  were  made  in  the 
eighties  by  Miguel  Suarez  Arana,  the  founder  of  the  Empresa  Nacional 
de  Bolivia  en  el  Paraguay,  to  run  a  cart  road  to  Puerto  Pacheco,  but 
the  scheme  was  frustrated  by  the  occupation  of  that  excellent  river 
port  by  the  Paraguayans,  who  still  hold  it.     In  1889  the  English  firm 


86  BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL    \\l>    [NDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

of  Peny,  Cutbill,  De  Lungo  &  Co.  proposed  to  the  Bolivian  Govern- 
ment to  build  a  railway  from  Puerto  Pacheco  to  Sucre,  and  another 
from   the  Laguna  de  Gaiba  into  the   [tenez  country,  but   nothing 

came  of  these  proposals,  hi  !!)()()  a  Belgian  company,  known  as 
L'Africaine,  presented  proposals  for  a  Line  from  Bahia  Negra,  on 
which  Puerto  Pacheco  is  located,  to  Santa  Cruz.  The  cost  was  to  be 
ahout  $12,000,000  and  the  proposals  included  an  ambitious  scheme 
for  the  development  of  eastern  Bolivia.  The  concession  granted  to 
tins  company  expired  in  1914,  similar  proposals  having  been  made  in 
the  meantime  by  Italo-Argentine  interests  under  the  name  of  the 
Sindicato  Fomento  del  Oriente  Boliviano.  Proposals  were  also  made 
by  the  Bolivian  Development  &  Colonization  Co.,  a  branch  of  the 
Farquhar  Syndicate,  for  a  railway  from  the  interior  of  Bolivia  to 
Puerto  Suarez  or  Bahia  Negra,  and  these  were  accepted  by  the 
Bolivian  Government  in  August,  1911.  However,  this  concession, 
which  also  comprehended  a  grant  of  1,000  square  leagues  of  State 
lands,  has  expired,  and  there  is  at  present  no  concession  in  the  field. 
However,  certain  Brazilian  interests  made  overtures  to  the  Bolivian 
Government  in  1919  for  the  prolongation  of  the  Northwestern  Rail- 
way of  Brazil  from  Porto  Esperanca,  its  present  terminus,  by  way  of 
Corumba  and  Puerto  Suarez  to  Santa  Cruz.  Construction  of  a  line 
across  eastern  Bolivia  should  be  comparatively  easy,  as  grades  would 
be  negligible  and  in  no  part  would  there  be  required  cuts  or  (ills 
more  than  5  meters  (16  feet)  in  depth.  The  completion  of  lines 
between  the  Paraguay  River  and  Santa  Cruz  and  between  Santa  Cruz 
and  Cochabamba,  a  total  distance  of  about  sot)  miles,  would  supply 
the  necessary  links  for  the  establishment  of  a  transcontinental  line 
from  Santos' to  Arica.  In  lieu  of  the  completion  of  the  latter  line 
the  building  of  a  road  from  the  Paraguay  into  Santa  Cruz  would  offer 
an  outlet  to  the  entire  Santa  Cruz  region,  whose  great  potential 
resources  must  lie  fallow  until  some  such  outlet  is  made  available. 

SANTA    CR1  /-  ARGENTINA. 

There  have  also  been  several  projects  for  a  railway  line  to  connect 
Santa  Cruz,  via  Yacuiba,  with  the  Argentine  system  of  lines.  In 
November.  1911,  a  concession  was  granted  to  a  British  linn  to  build 
such  a  line,  to  be  known  as  the  Eastern  Railway  of  Bolivia,  but  this 
scheme  shared  in  the  general  collapse  of  most  of  the  vast  designs  of 
the  Farquhar  Syndicate,  which  took  over  the  project.  At  present 
a  project  is  on  foot  for  the  building  of  a  railway  from  Sucre  to  the 
lower  Pilcomayo,  with  an  outlet  to  the  Paraguay  River  at  Formosa 
over  the  Argentine  State  Railway,  which  is  being  built  northwest  to 
Embarcacion.  Embarcacion  is  the  present  railhead  iov  the  Central 
Northern's  branch  from  Perico  and  is  also  the  southern  terminus  ot 
the  long  road  from  Santa  Cruz  in  Bolivia.  The  new  project  is  con- 
nected with  the  plans  of  tie-  WiUiam  Braden  interests  (Argentine- 
Bolivian  Exploration  &  Development  Co.)  for  the  development  oj 
the  oil  fields  m  the  Lagunillas  district  east  of  Sucre.     The  proposed 

concession  also  provide-  for  a  branch  from  Lagunillas  north  to  Santa 
Cruz. 

i.i    LYARAMl  tUN-RIBER  M  n. 

A  law  of  December  I,  19]  I.  -ranted  to  the  Madeira-Mamore  Kail- 
way  Co.,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  Petropolis  ol 
L903,   a   contract    for   the  building  of  a    line   from    ( iuavara  menu    to 


TRANSPORTATION    AND   COMMUNICATIONS.  87 

Riberalta.  The  construction  of  this  line  would  amount  to  the  ex- 
tension of  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway  across  the  Mamore  and  into 
Bolivian  territory  as  far  as  Riberalta  at  the  forks  of  the  Beni  and  the 
Madre  de  Dios.  The  total  distance  between  these  two  points  is 
about  186  miles.  Some  work  was  done  by  the  concessionaires  in 
surveying  this  route  and  in  preparing  the  right  of  way,  but  the  project 
was  abandoned  several  years  ago.  Largely  for  political  reasons, 
the  Bolivian  Government  has  shown  little  interest  in  the  completion 
of  this  line. 

LA    QUIACA-TARIJA . 

The  construction  of  a  railway  from  La  Quiaca-Villazon  northeast 
85  miles  to  the  isolated  town  of  Tarija  has  been  discussed  for  many 
years,  but  nothing  definite  has  yet  been  done  to  further  this  project. 
At  present  the  Department  of  Tarija  is  dependent  for  outside  connec- 
tions on  mule  trails  that  terminate  at  either  La  Quiaca  or  Embarca- 
cion. 

ROADS. 

CONDITIONS  OF  ROAD  BUILDING. 

Because  of  the  topography  and  climate  of  the  country,  road  build- 
ing in  Bolivia  is  attended  with  peculiar  difficulties.  Most  of  the  roads 
lie'"  among  the  mountains  and  have  the  general  characteristics  of 
Andean  highways.  Pack  animals — mules,  burros,  and  llamas — 
comprise  the  usual  means  of  transportation,  and  the  roads  are  often 
only  the  narrow  "  caminos  de  herradura, "  or  pack  trails,  required 
for  that  kind  of  traffic.  These  roads  climb  the  sides  of  steep  moun- 
tains, cross  the  desolate  ''puna"  of  the  higher  altitudes,  wind  along 
rocky  defiles  whose  beds  are  filled  during  the  rainy  season  with 
rushing  streams,  and  skirt  the  edge  of  dangerous  precipices.  In 
places  they  are  too  narrow  for  two"  laden  pack  trains  to  pass,  and 
sometimes  scarcely  wide  enough  for  one.  Sometimes  after  heavy 
rains  part  of  the  trail  will  slip  into  the  valley  below,  leaving  the  road 
hanging  in  space.  Though  mules  are  best  adapted  to  travel  over 
such  roads  because  of  their  sure-foot edness,  their  bodies  are  sometimes 
seen  at  the  bottom  of  deep  canyons,  where  they  have  fallen  from  the 
road  above.  During  the  rainy  months,  even  pack-train  traffic  over 
the  mountain  trails  is  greatly  impeded,  and  automobile  traffic  is 
suspended  over  the  better  roads  between  December  and  May.  After 
the  end  of  the  summer  it  is  usually  necessary  to  make  elaborate 
repairs  over  long  stretches  of  the  mountain  trails  and  roads,  where 
the  heavy  rains  have  caused  slides  and  washouts. 

On  the  comparatively  level  *'meseta"'or  table-land  the  building 
of  roads  is  very  easy.  There  the  pack  trains  are  accustomed  to  follow 
the  shortest  line  from  place  to  place,  and  the  paths  thus  worn  by  their 
hoofs  generally  constitute  the  only  roads  of  the  region.  During  the 
•  dry  season  these  roads  are  satisfactory  for  ordinary  demands,  but 
after  the  annual  rains  have  set  in  much  of  the  plateau  is  covered 
with  a  shallow  layer  of  water,  or  where  the  roads  are  not  entirely 
inundated  they  often  become  nearly  impassable  because  of  the  deep 
mud.  This  condition  prevails  to  an  even  greater  extent  in  the  vast 
plains  of  eastern  Bolivia,  where  roads  may  be  utterly  parched  during 
the  dry  season  and  be  turned  into  bogs  during  the  wet  summer  months. 
In  the  level  districts  of  the  Republic,  especially  in  the  Beni  and 


88  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    INDUSTBIAL    HANDBOOK. 

Santa  Cruz,  ponderous  oxcarts  are  much  used  for  heavy  hauling, 
and  they  arc  also  utilized  on  the  plateau  for  such  purposes  as  the 
transportation  of  mining  machinery  or  other  heavy  goods  to  points 
inaccessible  by  rail.  Bullocks  arc  also  much  ridden  in  eastern 
Bolivia,  not  only  because  of  their  cheap  cost,  but  because  their 
Large  splay  hoofs  are  well  fitted  for  traveling  across  cither  sandy  or 
muddy  country. 

In  the  building  of  roads,  picks  and  shovels  are  about  the  only 
tools  used.  Modern  road-making  machines,  such  as  scrapers  and 
rollers  and  stone  crushers,  have  not  been  introduced  into  Bolivia. 
Ordinary  manual  labor  is  so  cheap  and  the  funds  available  so  limited 
that  it  is  doubtful  whether  much  of  a  market  could  be  developed  for 
such  machinery  in  the  present  state  of  the  country.  Anything  ap- 
proaching the  average  outlay  per  mile  for  good  roads  in  the  United 
States  would  be  utterly  out  of  the  question  in  a  country  with  the 
limited  resources  and  small  population  of  Bolivia.  However,  in 
spite  of  the  limited  facilities  at  hand,  the  mountain  roads  are  often 
very  well  built,  being  well  drained  and  having  a  hard,  smooth  surface . 
Some  very  substantial  stonework  is  used  to  support  these  roads,  and 
even  some  mule  trails,  where  they  run  along  the  sides  of  the  moun- 
tains, as  in  the  Yungas,  command  the  admiration  of  the  traveler. 
However,  these  roads  generally  lack  the  strong  base  of  a  macada- 
mized highway  and  so  are  severely  damaged  by  the  heavy  summer 
rains. 

The  expense  of  road  building  in  Bolivia  is  borne  by  the  national 
"prestacion  vial,"  or  road  tax,  and  by  special  appropriations,  either 
national  or  departmental.  All  males  in  the  country  between  the 
ages  of  18  and  60  are  required  to  pay  the  small  road  tax  or,  in  lieu  of 
the  payment  of  this  sum,  to  work  out  the  tax  on  the  roads  of  the 
Department.  In  practice  the  system  usually  amounts  to  a  corvee 
of  the  able-bodied  Indians,  supplemented  by  the  quotas  paid  by  the 
whites  and  certain  of  the  cnolos.  An  example  of  departmental 
action  is  the  law  of  January  14,  1919,  authorizing  the  Department 
of  Potosi  to  raise  a  loan  of  500,000  bolivianos  for  roads  to  Tupiza 
and  Camargo.  Where  the  need  for  a  particular  road  is  especially 
urgent  and  the  ordinary  resources  of  the  "prestacion  vial"  and  the 
departmental  treasury*  are  inadequate,  the  National  Government 
sometimes  makes  an  appropriation  for  its  construction.  The  ad- 
ministration of  the  national  system  of  roads  is  under  the  control  of 
the  Section  of  Bridges  and  Roads  of  the  Ministry  of  "Fomento"  or 
Public  Works.  The  total  appropriations  for  road  building  between 
1901)  and    1910  were  as  follows.  00  pej  cent   of  these  coming  from  the 

National  Treasury:  L906,  $536,400;  L907,  $362,080;  L908,  $400,400; 
I'.ioo.  $329,424;  1910,  $190,640;  L911,  $236,800;  L912,  $103,600; 
L913,  $129,200;   191  I.  $103,600;   L915,  $44,800;   L916,  $6,000.     These 

sums  include  Government  subsidies  to  transportation  companies, 
which  supplied  carl  or  automobile  service  between  important  centers. 
A  few  toll  roads  have  survived  in  parts  of  the  country,  but  these 
highways  are  gradually  being  acquired  by  the  Government. 

During  the  past  few  years  there  has  been  a  considerable  increase 
in  the  mileage  of  roads  suitable  for  automobile  traffic,  and  it  is  the 
policy  of  the  Government  to  continue  the  building  of  good  roads  as 
fast  as  the  resources  at  its  disposal  permit.  The  most  used  of  this 
rla-s  of  roads  are  included  in  the  following  list : 


t 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    ( 'OMIIV  XU'ATIONS. 


89 


Length 
Points  connected.  in  miles. 

Potosi-Sncre 106 

Cochabamba-Sucre 191 

Atocha-La  Quiaca 125 

Arani-Totora 54 


Length 
Points  connected.  in  miles. 

La  Paz-Sorata 93 

La  Paz-Oruro 144 

Oochabamba-Sacaba 9 


ROADS  OF  DEPARTMENT  OF  LA  PAZ. 

A  number  of  roads  lead  out  from.  La  Paz  in  various  directions. 
To  the  northwest  one  goes  by  Huarina  and  Achacachi,  on  Lake 
Titicaca,  to  Sorata,  whence  a  trail  leads  over  the  Cordillera  down  into 
the  Beni.  In  1920  this  road  was  opened  for  motor  traffic,  a  regular 
automobile  service  having  been  previously  operated  as  far  as  Acha- 
cachi. Sorata  is  a  pleasant  town  lying  at  an  altitude  of  8,888  feet 
and  about  150  kilometers  (93  miles)  from  La  Paz.  The  automobile 
which  leaves  La  Paz  in  the  morning  arrives  at  Sorata  the  same  after- 
noon. This  road  was  a  favorite  project  of  a  former  American  min- 
ister who  now  resides  in  La  Paz.  From  Achacachi  a  trail  continues 
along  the  shore  of  the  lake  and  north  across  the  Province  of  Munecas 
and  the  high  Andes  by  Pelechuco  to  Apolo,  the  capital  of  the  Province 
of  Caupolican.  There  is  another  very  old  road  from  La  Paz  west  by 
Tiahuanaco  and  Guaqui  and  around  through  Peruvian  territory  to 
the  peninsula  and  town  of  Copacabana,  the  favorite  shrine  of  pious 
Bolivians. 

A  road,  now  little  used  but  formerly  of  considerable  importance, 
leads  southwest  across  the  Province  of  Pacajes  and  over  the  divide 
to  Tacna.  Before  the  building  of  the  Arica-La  Paz  Railway,  trains 
of  mules  and  llamas  from  Bolivia  were  common  sights  in  the  streets 
of  Tacna.  The  road  which  branches  off  at  Viacha  for  Corocoro  ulti- 
mately joins  this  road  for  the  coast.  The  old  cartroad  or  "  carretera  " 
to  Oruro  goes  southeast  by  Sicasica,  paralleling  for  much  of  its  way 
the  main  line  of  the  railway.  The  Rio  Abajo  or  "down-river"  road 
follows  the  river  valley  out  of  La  Paz  and  among  some  Indian  villages 
that  lie  under  the  shadow  of  Illimani.  Before  it  reaches  Palca  it  is 
only  a  mountain  trail,  branches  of  which  go  off  to  Luribay  or  over  a 
high  pass  into  the  Inquisivi  country  and  down  into  the  Yungas  to 
Irupana  near  the  forks  of  the  La  Paz  and  the  Miguilla.  Here  these 
roads  connect  with  those  that  come  around  from  La  Paz  by  the 
Unduavi  Canyon  and  Chulumani. 

In  spite  of  the  great  natural  obstacles  to  their  construction  and 
maintenance,  the  Yungas  roads  are  surprisingly  good.  Because  of 
the  steep  slopes  of  the  mountains,  in  the  sides  of  which  the  roads  are 
cut,  long  stretches  must  be  rebuilt  after  the  rainy  season.  These 
roads,  which  are  used  only  by  mules  and  burros,  follow  the  valleys 
or  the  sides  of  the  mountains — in  places  at  a  height  of  more  than  a 
thousand  feet  above  the  bottom  of  the  valley  and  sometimes  with  a 
sheer  drop  of  hundreds  of  feet  from  the  side  of  the  road. 

The  roads  are  largely  kept  up  by  an  association  of  the  landowners 
of  the  district,  known  as  the  Sociedad  de  los  Proprietaries  de  los 
Yungas.  A  toll  charge  of  10  centavos  is  levied  on  each  pack  animal 
entering  or  leaving  the  Yungas.  The  resources  of  the  "prestacion 
vial"  or  road  tax  are  also  utilized  for  the  support  of  the  roads. 

The  principal  road  of  the  region  is  that  which  leads  from  La  Paz 
over  the  divide  and  down  the  valley  of  the  Unduavi  to  a  point  where 


90  BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL    WP   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

it  scuds  off  branches  bo  the  north  and  south.  The  first  of  these 
branches  goes  by  Coripata  to  Coroico,  the  capital  of  the  Province  of 
Nor  Yungas,  and  the  other  loads  to  Chulumani,  the  capital  of  Sur 
Yungas.  A  cut-off  to  Coroico  from  the  main  road  was  closed  during 
1020  because  it  interfered  with  the  construction  work  on  the  railv. 
The  distance  from  La  Paz  to  Coroico  via  Coripata  is  aboul  93  miles, 
which  can  ho  covered  by  mule  from  the  end  of  the  railway  al 
divide  in  about  three  days.  The  distance  to  Chulumani  is  about  si 
miles,  or  about  two  and  a  half  days  by  mule.  From  Chulumani  the 
trail  leads  over  two  high  ridges  for  about  12  miles  to  the  town  of 
Irupana,  from  which  point  there  are  connections,  through  the   [n- 

Suisivi  district,  with  the  Bolivia  Railway  at  Eucalyptus,  or  by  the 
a  Pa/.  River  with  the  city  of  La  Paz. 

About  5,000  mules  and  burros  pass  over  the  La  Paz- Yungas  road 
every  day.  The  road  can  be  used  for  carts  for  about  30  miles  out  o\' 
La  Paz.  or  to  about  14  miles  beyond  the  summit.  Bids  wore  asked 
for  the  improvement  of  the  road  to  the  summit  during  1020  so  that 
it  may  be  used  for  automobile  traffic.  Farther  from  La  Paz  the  road 
is  only  a  broad  mule  trail,  with  grades  of  30  per  cent  and  over  for 
considerable  distances.  Rates  for  mules  from  La  Paz  to  Chulumani 
vary  from  12  to  20  bolivianos  per  mule,  depending  on  the  scarcity 
of  pack  animals  and  the  season  of  the  year.  There  is  a  lack  of  food  for 
animals  in  the  Yungas,  and  large  quantities  of  barley  are  brought  in 
from  the  plateau  to  supply  the  deficiency.  The  months  of  June  and 
July  are  the  best  time  of  the  year  for  visiting  the  Yungas.  Travel 
during  the  rainy  season  is  attended  with  serious  inconveniences  ami 
at  times  is  next  to  impossible.  During  the  summer  of  1020  the  road 
was  completely  blocked  by  heavy  rains  for  several  days. 

There  are  both  telegraph  and  telephone  connections  between  La 
Paz  and  the  principal  centers  of  the  Yungas. 

ROADS  OF  DEPARTMENT  OF  ORURO. 

A  series  of  important  roads  radiate  from  Oruro  or  leave  the  lino  o( 
the  railway  for  some  mining  district  in  the  mountain  country.  An 
example  of  the  latter  is  the  cart  road  from  Challapata  to  Colquechaca, 
which  is  sometimes  traveled  by  automobiles.  The  old  '"  earrotera  " 
between  Oruro  and  Cochabamba  has  lost  much  of  its  importance 
since  the  opening  of  the  railway  between  the  two  cities.  However, 
considerable  numbers  of  cattle  for  the  Oruro  market  are  driven  over 
it,  and  there  is  still  a  large  burro  and  mule  traffic  over  this  route. 
I  In  man  labor  and  time  are  of  such  lit  tie  value  in  this  region,  and  burros 
in  particular  are  so  cheap,  that  it  is  difficult  for  railway  competition 
to  affect  this  pack-train  traffic  in  certain  lines  of  freight.  The  road, 
which  passes  through  the  rich  Quillacollo  valley  before  entering 
Cochabamba,  is  kept  in  fairly  good  condition  and  with  a  relatively 
small  amount  of  work  could  he  made  suitable  for  motor  traffic.  A 
motor  cycle  has  reached  Cochabamba  over  this  road,  hut  it  ha-  qoI 
vet  been  traversed  by  an  automobile.     A  much-traveled  road  Leads 

In    the    mining   district    of    I'neia    and    Llallagua,    the   Center   of    the 

Bolivian  fin-mining  industry,  which  is  accessible  for  motor  vehicles 

for  part  of  the  year.  Across  the  Province  of  Carangas  there  are  also 
| tack  trails,  which  fork  at  the  town  of  Corque,  one  of  them  continuing 
on   to  the  COast   at   Aiica  and  the  other  reaching  the  seaboard  farther 


TRANSPORTATION   AND   COMMUNICATIONS.  91 

to  (he  south  at  Pisagua  and  Iquique.  However,  these  long  roads  to 
the  coast  are  now  little  used.  Another  road  leads  around  the  southern, 
end  of  Lake  Poopo  to  the  "salinas"  or  salt  marshes  of  Garcimendoza. 

ROADS  OF  DEPARTMENT  OF  COCHABAMBA. 

Cochahamba  has  probably  the  largest  mileage  of  good  roads  of 
any  department  in  Bolivia,  as  it  has  also  the  largest  agricultural 
acreage  and  the  heaviest  population  per  square  mile.  According  to 
the  prefect,  about  360  miles  of  these  roads  can  be  used  for  automobile 
traffic  during  a  part  of  the  year.  The  longest  single  extent  of  such 
road  is  that  section  of  the  road  to  Sucre  which  lies  within  the  Depart- 
ment of  Cochabamba.  This  highway  leads  through  the  thickly 
populated  Punata  Valley  to  its  termination  at  Arani,  which  is  also  the 
terminus  of  the  narrow-gauge  railway  from  Cochabamba.  Thence 
for  about  60  miles  its  course  leads  through  a  wild  mountain  country, 
following  the  ridge  at  a  height  of  more  than  11,000  feet  for  much  of 
the  way.  It  then  drops  down  about  3,000  feet  into  the  Valley  of 
Mizque,  from  which  it  crosses  a  barren  moor  country  into  the  Aiquile 
Valley.  From  the  Valley  of  Aiquile  it  climbs  over  the  low  Sierra  de 
Catariri  and  follows  thence  a  small  tributary  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
which  it  crosses  by  a  suspension  bridge  into  the  Department  of 
Chuquisaca.  From  about  the  middle  of  May  to  about  the  middle  of 
November  this  road  is  open  for  automobile  traffic  between  Cocha- 
bamba and  Sucre.  This  motor  service  is  operated  by  the  same 
company  that  maintains  the  automobile  line  between  Sucre  and 
Potosi — the  Empresa  de  Automoviles  J.  Moscoso.  The  cars,  which 
arelarge  10-passenger  American  machines,  make  the  trip  twice  a  week. 
covering  the  distance  of  some  225  miles  in  about  16  hours  of  actual 
traveling.  The  one-way  fare  between  the  two  points  is  60  boli- 
vianos. There  is  little  through  freight  traffic  on  this  road,  but  it 
forms  the  outlet  for  the  Mizque  and  Aiquile  Valleys,  and  to  a  certain 
extent  for  that  of  Vallegrande,  besides  some  haciendas  that  lie 
nearer  Sucre. 

Another  road  leads  from  Cochabamba  northeast  through  the  fine 
Sacaba  Valley  and  over  the  mountains  by  Colomi  down  into  the 
Yungas  of  Cochabamba  and  the  lowland  country  to  the ,  head  of 
launch  navigation  on  the  Chapare  at  Todos  Santos.  For  about  half 
the  year  a  regular  automobile  service  is  maintained  between  Cocha- 
bamba and  Sacaba,  a  distance  of  about  9  miles,  though  the  road  can 
be  used  for  automobiles  as  far  as  Colomi.  Beyond  this  point  it  is 
only  a  bad  mule  trail  which  forms,  however,  the  only  connection 
between  Cochabamba  and  the  Beni  region.  A  branch  of  the  "valley 
road"  by  Punata  leads  off  from  Punata  by  Tiraque  and  the  Rio  Lope 
de  Mendoza  to  Montepunco,  through  which  there  are  connections 
across  the  Yungas  of  Arepucho  with  the  country  about  the  Chimore. 
A  cart  road  about  25  miles  long  also  leads  from  Parotani  (on  the  line 
of  the  railway  to  Oruro)  to  Tapacari,  which  lies  near  the  Kami 
mining  district. 

ROADS  OF  DEPARTMENT  OF  POTOSI. 

The  principal  road  of  the  Potosi  district  is  that  which  connects 
the  cities  of  Potosi  and  Sucre,  a  distance  of  about  171  kilometers 
(106  miles).     This  road  was  built  by  a  British  engineer  and  is  one  of 


92  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AXU    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

the  most  remarkable  pieces  of  highway  constructioD  in  Bolivia. 
,The  most  difficult  part  of  its  course  is  that  section  where  the  road 
zigzags  down  into  the  valley  of  the  Pilcomayo  and  climbs  to  the  top 
of  the  mountain  range  on  the  other  side.  At  this  point  the  valley 
is  nearly  3,000  feet  deep.  The  river  is  crossed  here  by  a  suspension 
bridge  about  650  Feet  long.  In  the  entire  distance  between  Potosi  and 
Sucre  there  is  scarcely  a  100-yard  stretch  of  straight  road.  The  auto- 
mobile service  which  is  maintained  over  this  road  between  the  middle 
of  April  and  the  middle  of  November  is  conducted  by  the  Empresa 
de  Automoviles  J.  Moscoso.  This  concern  receives  a  subsidy  from 
the  National  Government.  American  chauffeurs  are  employed  for 
driving  the  large  cars  used.  The  cars  cover  the  distance  between  the 
two  places  in  about  9V  hours.  The  fare  charged  for  the  trip  is  60 
bolivianos,  and  there  is  a  high  charge  for  baggage.  When  tlic  cars 
start  from  the  end  of  the  railway  at  Betanzos,  instead  of  leaving  from 
Potosi,  the  charges  are  considerably  less. 

The  ordinary. means  for  carrying  freight  between  the  two  cities  is 
by  mule,  and  this  is  also  the  only  means  of  passenger  travel  during  that 
part  of  the  year  when  the  automobile  service  is  suspended  because  of 
the  rains.  A  good  mule  will  carry  about  3  Spanish  quintals,  equiv- 
alent to  a  little  over  300  pounds,  and  the  rates  charged  by  the 
"fleteros"  or  freighters  varies  from  3  to  9  bolivianos  per  quintal, 
depending  on  the  character  of  the  merchandise,  the  scarcity  of 
animals,  and  the  supply  of  forage  for  the  mules.  The  normal  rate 
is  about  5  bolivianos  per  quintal.  The  pack  trains  make  the  trip 
from  Potosi  to  Sucre  in  four  or  five  days.  For  bulky  goods,  which 
can  not  be  carried  by  mule,  oxcarts  are  used. 

Other  roads,  used  by  mules,  lead  northwest  to  Challapata  on  the 
main  line  of  the  railway,  and  south  by  Cotagaita  to  Tupiza.  Traffic 
has  greatly  declined  on  the  latter  road,  over  which  ores  from  Potosi 
were  formerly  sent  into  Argentina.  Trails  branch  off  from  this  road 
across  the  mountains  into  the  Camargo  district  of  the  Province  of 
Cinti  and  down  into  the  Tarija  country,  to  the  southeast. 

The  road  from  Uyuni  southeast  to  the  Argentine  frontier  lias  been 
mentioned  in  connection  with  the  proposed  railway  connection 
between  Atocha  and  La  Quiaca,  which  are  the  terminals  of  most  of 
the  traffic  over  most  of  this  route,  since  Atocha  constitutes  the  present 
railhead  of  the  main  Bolivian  system.  Atocha  is  a  squalid  village 
of  about  250  inhabitants,  with  a  post-office  and  a  telegraph  office, 
where  messages  are  relayed  to  Argentina  from  the  north.  There  are 
two  small  "hotels,"  where  very  poor  accommodations  are  provided 
for  travelers  who  are  unfortunate  enough  to  miss  connections  with 
the  trains  or  automobiles  or  who  travel  this  way  by  mule  in  the  rainy 
'>!).  Tupiza,  which  serves  as  a  halfway  station  on  tin1  road,  is  a 
place  of  about    1,500  people,  situated  in  a  well-cult  i  vated  valley  at  an 

altitude  of  about   3,000  meters   (9,850  feet).     Villazon,  the  actual 

southern  terminal  of  the  road,  is  a  small  village1  separated  by  a  creek 

from  the  Argentine  town  of  Pa  Quiaca.     Its  commercial  importance 
is  still  largely  limited  to  the  presence  of  the  Bolivian  customhouse  at 

this   point.     La   Quiaca    is  situated    in    the   Argentine    Province   of 

duply,  about    155  miles  north  of  the  citj    of  that   name.       It  lies  at   an 

altitude  of  3,442  meters  (11,293  feet).     The  population  is  between 
2,000  and  2,500. 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  93 

There  is  a  large  mule  traffic  over  this  road,  though  both  llamas  and 
oxcarts  are  used  for  hauling  freight.  Mules,  which  can  be  hired  from 
"  arrieros"  at  either  end  of  the  line,  make  the  trip  in  four  to  five  days. 
For  passengers  the  rate  per  mule  for  the  trip  is  between  35  and  40 
bolivianos.  Freight  pays  at  the  rate  of  10  centavos  per  kilo,  though 
the  rate  may  vary  according  to  the  state  of  the  road  and  the  abundance 
of  forage  for  the  animals."  During  the  height  of  the  rainy  season 
travel  is  very  difficult,  even  by  mule.  From  about  the  middle  of 
May  to  about  the  middle  of  November  a  regular  automobile  service 
is  maintained  for  the  transportation  of  passengers.  The  company 
that  operates  this  service  owns  10  cars,  most  of  them  of  the  Mercedes 
(German)  type,  with  a  total  capacity  of  about  60  passengers.  The 
fare  for  the  trip  is  70  bolivianos,  and  the  charge  for  excess  baggage 
above  the  very  small  maximum  allowed  each  passenger  is  1.75  boli- 
vianos per  5  kilos.  The  schedule  for  this  service  is  given  in  the 
Appendix  under  the  heading  "Travel  Notes." 

ROADS  OF  DEPARTMENT  OF  CHUQUISACA. 

The  roads  from  Potosi  and  Cochabamba  have  already  been  de- 
scribed. The  latter  road,  after  leaving  Sucre,  descends  to  the  valley 
of  the  Rio  Chico,  which  is  followed  for  about  35  miles,  crossing  its 
dry  bed  during  the  winter  season,  when  the  road  is  open,  more  than 
a  hundred  times.  After  passing  the  confluence  of  the  Rio  Chico  with 
the  Rio  Grande  the  road  enters  the  Department  of  Cochabamba, 
through  which  its  course  has  been  described.  A  road  leads  east  from 
Sucre  by  Tarabuco  and  Padill  to  the  region  of  Lagunillas,  which  is 
known  in  Sucre  as  "  the  frontier."  This  road  can  be  used  by  automo- 
biles as  far  as  Tarabuco  and  is  a  fair  highway  as  far  as  Padilla,  but 
beyond  this  point  it  is  only  a  bad  mule  trail.  This  road  is  used  for 
sending  merchandise  from  Sucre  to  the  smaller  towns  to  the  east  and 
for  bringing  tobacco  and  alcohol  into  Sucre. 

ROADS  BETWEEN  THE  PLATEAU  AND  THE  PLAINS  COUNTRY. 

One  of  the  most  important  problems  of  the  Bolivian  Government 
has  been  the  closer  binding  of  the  remote  eastern  part  of  the  Republic 
with  the  plateau  by  means  of  improved  transportation  routes.  The 
projects  for  the  extension  of  the  Yungas  Railway  to  the  Beni  and 
for  a  railway  to  Santa  Cruz  have  already  been  described.  The 
problem  of  building  roads  between  the  two  regions  is  made  all  the 
more  difficult,  not  only  by  the  great  distances  which  must  be  trav- 
ersed, but  by  the  difference  in  altitude  between  the  two  sections  of 
the  country,  which  amounts  to  10,000  to  14,000  feet.  At  present 
there  are  a  number  of  routes  from  the  "altiplano"  to  the  plains  of 
the  Beni  and  Mamore  basins,  which  require  from  10  days  to  2  months 
to  cover. 

From  La  Paz  the  most  traveled  route  is  that  by  Sorata  and  Mapiri. 
For  part  of  the  year  the  stage  from  La  Paz  to  Sorata  can  be  made  by 
automobile.  From  Sorata  there  is  a  four-day  mule  journey  to 
Mapiri,  which  lies  about  1,500  feet  above  sea  level.  At  Mapiri  it  is 
necessary  to  take  a  canoe,  paddled  by  Indians,  in  which  one  travels 
as  far  as  Rurrenabaque  on  the  Beni.  This  stage  of  the  journey  is 
made  in  5  to  7  days,  largely  depending  on  the  quantity  of  water  in 


94  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND    [NDUSTBIAL    HANDBOOK. 

the  rivers.  Rurrenabaque  is  the  head  of  steam  navigation  on  the 
Bcni.  and  the  distance  thence  to  Riberalta,  amounting  to  about  7" * '. : i 
kilometers  (171  miles),  is  covered  by  launch  in  about  6  days.  There 
are  thus  about  17  days  of  actual  traveling  between  La  Pafc  am! 
Rurrenabaque.  Sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  go  around  by  land  from 
Rurrenabaque  to  Puerto  Salinas,  in  case  the  launch  is  not  able  to 
get  over  the  Altamirani  Pass  between  these  two  points,  which  lie 
about  22  kilometers  (14  miles)  apart.  The  different  stages  by  this 
route  are  as  follows: 

ICilometors.    Miles. 

La  Paz-Sorata;  automobile  (or  mule). 150  93 

Sorata-Mapiri;  mule 160  99 

Mapiri-Rurrenabaque;  canoe 437  272 

Rurrenabaque- Riberall a:  laanch 763  171 

1,510  938 

Another  route  is  by  way  of  Lake  Titicaca  and  the  Madre  de  Dios, 
part  of  the  journey  being  across  Peruvian  territory.  The  stages  by 
this  route  are: 

La  Paz-Guaqui;  rail,  Guaqui-La  Paz  Railway. 

Guaqui-Puno;  lake  steamer. 

Puno-Tirapata;  rail,  Southern  Railway  of  Peru. 

Tirapata-<  fandamo;  male. 

Oandamo-Puerto  Maldonado;  canoe,  Tambopata  River. 

Puerto  Maklonado-Riberalta;  launch,  Madre  de  Dios  River. 

The  journey  from  La  Paz  to  Tirapata,  which  is  72  miles  from  Puno, 
requires  about  a  day.  From  Tirapata  to  the  Tambopata  is  about 
6  days  by  mule.  However,  there  are  200  kilometers  (125  miles)  of 
good  mountain  road  from  Tirapata  to  the  Inca  Gold  Mining  Co.'s 
properties,  and  this  is  regularly  traveled  by  automobile.  The  trip 
from  Candamo  to  Puerto  Maldonado  on  the  Madre  de  Dios  requires 
about  6  days  by  canoe  and  the  descent  of  the  Madre  de  Dios  about 
seven  days  "by  launch,  or  a  total  of  about  20  days  of  actual  traveling. 

There  are  also  two  or  three  routes  which  lead  from  La  Paz  through 
the  Yungas  into  the  Beni  basin.  One  leads  by  the  Coroico  and 
Carauavi  Rivers,  and  another  by  the  Miguilla  and  Bopi.  At  Puerto 
Pando  these  routes  converge  with  that  from  La  Paz  by  Sorata- 
Mapiri.  Canoes  ascend  the  Miguilla  to  a  short  way  below  Irupana 
in  South  Yungas,  which  lies  about  175  kilometers  (110  miles)  from 
La  Paz.  The  150  kilometers  (93  miles)  between  the  end  of  the 
Yungas  Railway  and  this  point  must  be  covered  by  mule. 

From  Cochabamba  the  most  direct  route  into  the  Beni  country  is 

by   way  of  the  Chapare.      The  successive  stages  of  this  road   are   as 

follows: 

Kilometers.    Mill 

Cochabamba-Sacaba;  automobile  or  mule L0         6 

Sacaba-Santa  Rosa; mule 243      l"'i 

Santa  Rosa-Trinidad;  launch 172      in: 

425      264 
After  Leaving  the  Valley  of  Cochabamba   this  road  leads  through  a 

country  of  mountains  ami  dense  forests,  where  both  the  building  and 
the  maintenance  of  roads  are  extremely  difficult  and  costly  .  not  only 

because  of  the  physical  character  of  ihe  region,  bill  also  on  account 
of   the   devastating   work   of   the   torrential    rains   of   the   wet    season. 

Tin-   ni. id    has   been   a    notoriously    bad   one,    the   trail  in  some   places 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  95 

being  scarcely  wide  enough  for  a  single  laden  mule  to  pass,  as  at  the 
dangerous  Sal-si-puedes  Pass.  However,  the  road  is  being  radically 
improved  by  a  batallion  of  sappers,  under  the  command  of  an  army 
officer  of  long  experience  in  tropical  Bolivia.  Not  only  is  the  route 
of  the  old  trail  being  modified,  but  the  road  is  being  extended  beyond 
Todos  Santos  across  the  Mojos  plains  to  Trinidad,  the  capital  of  the 
Department  of  El  Beni.  Though  the  road  will  be  made  more  service- 
able for  mule  traffic,  parts  of  it  must  still  remain  impassable  during 
the  height  of  the  rainy  season.  The  mule  trains  from  Cochabamba 
with  cargo  for  the  Beni  now  unload  their  freight  at  Santa  Rosa  or  at 
Todos  Santos,  which  lies  about  20  miles  farther  down  the  Chapare. 
Here  it  is  transferred  to  the  launches  owned  by  Barber  &  Co.,  or 
during  times  of  low  water  to  long  canoes  and  "batelones,"  which  are 
the  typical  river  craft  of  the  Beni  region.  The  distance  from  Trini- 
dad to  Riberalta  is  about  700  kilometers  (435  miles),  which  is  covered 
by  launch  as  far  as  Guayaramerin,  and  thence  overland  to  Riberalta 
by  mule.  A  second  road  leads  from  Cochabamba  by  way  of  Totora 
and  the  Chimore  to  Trinidad,  a  total  distance  of  about  564  kilometers 
(350  miles). 

The  long  road  from  Cochabamba  to  Santa  Cruz  leaves  the  Punata 
Valley  at  Arani,  and  thence  continues  eastward  by  Totora,  Chilon, 
and  Pampagrande  through  a  rugged  mountain  country,  until  it 
enters  the  vast  plains  of  eastern "  Bolivia  a  few  leagues  outside  of 
Santa  Cruz.  Some  of  the  roughest  country  traversed  lies  among 
the  last  Andean  ranges  in  the  vicinity  of  Samaipata.  There  are 
many  precipitous  climbs  and  descents,  and  traveling  is  very  difficult 
during  the  rainy  season,  when  the  trail  is  muddy  and  slippery  and  the 
streams  are  full.  Though  the  road  begins  at  Cochabamba,  there  is  a 
railway  line  as  far  as  Arani,  and  from  this  point  to  Totora  there  is  a 
regular  automobile  service  for  part  of  the  year.  Beyond  Totora 
the  road  is  passable  only  for  mules,  which  can  cover  the  remainder 
of  the  journey  in  8  to  10  days  or  the  entire  trip  in  about  two  weeks. 
Mules  can  be  hired  or  bought  at  Punata  or  other  places  in  the  neigh- 
boring valley  and  muleteers  engaged  for  the  journey.  Rates  on 
freigrit  to  Santa  Cruz  depend  largely  on  the  scarcity  of  pack  animals 
and  the  time  of  year,  charges  being  higher  during  the  rainy  season, 
when  parts  of  the  road  are  in  bad  condition  and  traveling  is  slower. 
Rates  vary  between  45  and  60  bolivianos  per  mule  for  the  trip, 
each  mule  carrying  between  2  and  3  quintals,  or  from  about  200  to  300 
pounds.  For  burros  the  rates  are  somewhat  less,  taking  into  account 
their  much  smaller  carrying  capacity.  The  total  length  of  the  road 
is  about  433  kilometers  (269  miles).  As  it  is  the  principal  outlet  for 
the  city  of  Santa  Cruz,  a  place  of  some  20,000  people,  and  for  the  sur- 
rounding district,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  traffic  over  this  road  through- 
out the  year.  General  merchandise  is  carried  in  one  direction,  and  in 
the  other  hides  and  alcohol  are  the  principal  commodities  carried. 
From  the  town  of  Aiquile  a  mule  trail  branches  off  to  the  east  from 
the  Cochabamba-Sucre  road  to  Santa  Cruz  by  way  of  Vallegrande, 
but  there  is  comparatively  little  through  travel  over  this  road. 

LOCAL  ROADS  OF  EASTERN  BOLIVIA. 

In  the  Beni  and  Colonias  regions  roads  have  to  be  cut  through  the 
dense  tropical  forest  for  long  distances,  and  during  much  of  the  year 
the  plains,  across  which  the  roads  are  laid,  are  under  water.     Two  of 


96  BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTBJAL    HANDBOOK. 

the  most  important  roads  arc  that  which  connect-  the  Mamoro  and 
the  Beni,  with  terminals  at,  respectively,  Exaltacion  and  Rurrenaba- 
que,  and  that  which  connects  Santa  Ana  with  Riberalta.  The 
former  road  leads  slightly  southwest  by  Santa  Ana  and  Reyes  across 
the  plains  of  Mojos,  and  the  other  is  used  for  driving  cattle  from  the 
country  south  of  the  Yacuma  to  the  rubber  districts  of  Vaca  Diez 
and  Colonias.  Another  important  road  is  that  leading  cast  from 
Riberalta  t<>  the  river  at  Guayaramerin,  opposite  the  terminus  of  the 
Madeira-Mamore  Railway.  A  road,  which  has  been  used  by  auto- 
mobiles during  the  dry  season,  has  been  run  from  Cobija  on  the  Acre 
south  to  Porvenir,  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Tahuamanu,  and 
thence  to  Carmen  on  the  Madre  de  Dios.  As  this  road  crosses 
several  rivers,  the  construction  of  some  wooden  bridges  was  necessary. 
Villa  Bella  and  Manna,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Abuna.  are  also  connected 
by  a  road,  which  parallels  the  Madeira.  There  are  also  a  number  of 
long  roads  in  the  huge  Province  of  Itenez  in  the  Department  of  El 
Beni.  These  connect  San  Ramon  on  the  Machuno  with  the  impor- 
tant center  of  Magdalena  on  the  Itonama  and  thence  with  the  Rio 
Itenez.  These  roads  link  up  with  the  system  of  roads  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz  that  lead  by  San  Ignacio  and 
San  Jose  de  Chiquitos  to  Puerto  Suarez  on  the  Paraguay  River.  _ 

The  Beni  road  from  Santa  Cruz  goes  as  far  north  as  Cuatro  Ojos 
on  the  Pirai  during  the  rainy  season,  and  as  far  as  Las  Juntas  or 
Puerto  Velarde  at  the  junction  of  the  Pirai  and  Grande  during  the 
dry  season.  The  distance  from  Santa  Cruz  to  Cuatro  Ojos  is  about 
1  f.">  kilometers  (90  miles),  and  thence  to  Puerto  Velarde  is  another 
60  kilometers  (30  miles).  In  the  wet  season  the  road  is  very  bad 
in  the  forest  of  Cuatro  Ojos  for  a  stretch  of  several  leagues,  and 
bevond  that  it  is  a  veritable  bog  at  this  time  of  year.  Cuatro  Ojos 
and  Puerto  Velarde  are,  respectively,  the  limits  of  launch  navigation 
on  the  Mamore  system  during  the  dry  and  the  wet  season.  These 
launches  ply  down  the  Mamore  by  Trinidad  to  the  terminus  of  the 
railway  at  Guayaramerin.  Most  of  the  traffic  over  the  Beni  road  or 
'  camino  del  Beni  "  is  by  means  of  mules  and  oxcarts. 

One  of  the  most  famous  routes  in  Bolivia  is  the  old  cart  road  be- 
tween Santa  Cruz  and  Puerto  Suarez,  which  was  laid  out  by  Snare/. 
Aiana  between  [874  and  ls7<>  and  which  connects  the  interior  of  the 
Republic  with  the  Paraguay  River.  This  road,  which  is  between 
690  and  700  kilometers  (430  and  435  miles)  long,  crosses  the  Rio 
Grande  a  few  miles  out  of  Santa  Cruz  and  then  disappears  into  the 
wilderness  of  the  Monte  Grande.  For  about  135  kilometer-  (84 
mile-)  the  road  is  a  narrow  "pieada"  or  trail  cut  through  the  forest, 
with  lour  "  fortines"  or  pickets  of  soldiers  at  intervals  of  a  day's  ride. 
After  leaving  the  Monte  Grande  the  road  skirts  the  marshy  Lake  of 
Concepcion    and    then    passes    thrOUffh   San    -lose,    the   capital    of   the 

Province  of  Chiquitos.     Thence  it  leads  in  a  general  southeasterly 

direction,  following  the  general  trend  of  the  Chiquitos  hills,  below 
Santiago  and  by  the  village  of  Santa  Ana  to  Puerto  Suarez  on  the 
Laguna  de  Caceres.  From  this  body  of  water  communication  i- 
Imd  by  a  narrow  channel  with  the  Paraguay  River.  During  most 
of  the'  var  the  lagoon,  though  of  vast  extent,  is  too  shallow  to  admit 

els'  of    the    .haft    of    those    plying    between    the    River   Plate  and 

Corumba.     At  such  tunes  it  is  only  navigable  for  Launches  drawing 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  97 

from  1  to  2  feet  of  water,  and  the  channel  is,  moreover,  often  ob- 
structed by  great  floating  beds  of  weeds  known  as  "  camelotes." 
It  is  sometimes  necessary  to  unload  goods  into  oxcarts  at  Puerto 
Sucre,  between  Corumba  and  Puerto  Suarez,  for  transportation  to  the 
latter  point.  For  at  least  two  months  of  the  year,  when  the  Paraguay 
is  at  its  height,  steamers  which  reach  Corumba  and  which  draw  5  or 
6  feet  of  water  could  enter  the  Laguna,  do  Caceres  and  discharge 
their  cargo  at  Puerto  Suarez.  By  the  route  used  by  the  launches  the 
distance  between  Puerto  Suarez  and  Corumba  is  about  10  miles. 

Long  stretches  of  the  road,  especially  across  the  low  country  be- 
tween the  last  of  the  Chiquitos  hills,  at  the  Carmen  ranch,  and 
Puerto  Suarez,  are  flooded  during  the  rainy  season  and  converted 
into  almost  impassable  bogs.  On  the  other  hand,  during  the  dry 
season,  which  is  at  its  height  in  September  and  October,  there  is  a 
serious  scarcity  of  water  over  this  section  of  the  road.  At  this  time 
travelers  are  dependent  for  water  for  themselves  and  their  pack 
animals  on  the  precarious  supply  which  they  may  encounter  in  the 
water  holes  at  intervals  of  many  leagues  along  the  road.  Myriads  of 
mosquitoes  and  "jejenes" — very  small  but  extremely  annoying  in- 
sects— torment  the  traveler  who  makes  this  trip  in  the  rainy  season. 

Traffic  over  this  road  is  by  means  of  mules,  oxcarts,  and  bullocks. 
The  Government  mail  carrier,  who  goes  over  this  road  regularly, 
rides  a  bullock.  Mules,  which  are  usually  difficult  to  obtain,  reach 
Santa  Cruz  in  about  three  weeks  from  the  river  when  the  road  is  in 
good  condition.  Oxcarts  drawn  by  five  or  six  yoke  of  oxen  make 
the  distance  in  35  to  40  days  when  the  road  is  at  its  best,  but  after 
the  annual  rains  have  begun  they  may  require  from  6  to  10  months 
for  the  journey,  being  held  up  for  weeks  at  a  time  by  swamps  and 
swollen  rivers.  In  September,  1919,  an  American  motor  car,  with 
its  owner,  the  Bolivian  "delegado"  of  the  Territory  of  Oriente,  and 
driven  by  an  American  mechanic,  succeeded  in  reaching  Santa  Cruz 
from  Puerto  Suarez  in  4  days  and  16  hours  of  actual  traveling,  with 
an  expenditure  of  152  liters  (40  gallons)  of  gasoline. 

This  road  has  lost  much  of  its  former  importance  as  a  route  for  the 
importation  of  foreign  goods  into  Santa  Cruz,  and  most  of  the  mer- 
chandise sent  out  of  Puerto  Suarez  is  distributed  among  the  towns 
of  the  intervening  region,  such  as  Santiago  and  San  Jose,  or  diverted 
from  the  main  road  into  the  country  to  the  north.  One  road  branches 
off  at  San  Jose  and  leads  by  San  Rafael  and  San  Ignacio  across 
Velasco  and  Nuflo  de  Chavez  into  the  basin  of  the  Itenez.  Another 
trail  leads  north  from  San  Juan  into  the  eastern  part  of  Velasco,  and  a 
third  goes  around  by  Santo  Corazon  to  the  border  at  San  Matias.  A 
Belgian  cattle  and  commercial  company,  the  Compania  Belga  Sud- 
Americana,  has  projected  an  automobile  road  from  the  Laguna  de 
Gaiba  to  Santa  Cruz.  This  would  open  up.  400  kilometers  (250  miles) 
of  new  road  from  the  frontier  to  San  Rafael  in  Velasco,  and  the  road 
would  have  a  total  length  of  about  1,000  kilometers  (620  miles). 
Though  longer  than  the  Puerto  Suarez  trail,  the  country  through 
which  it  would  pass  is  better  suited  for  the  building  of  good  roads 
than  is  that  traversed  by  the  more  southerly  route.  It  is  also  declared 
that  the  steamers  which  ply  to  Corumba  could  reach  the  Laguna  de 
Gaiba,  which  lies  about  200  miles  above. 
44462°— 21 7 


98 


BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   ANIt   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 


The  road  from  Santa  Cruz  into  Argentina  leads  south  and  outside 
the  last  fool  hills  of  the  Andes,  to  which  it  roughly  runs  parallel. 
After  crossing  the  Rio  Grande  to  the  south  of  Santa  Cruz  the  road 
forks,  one  branch  Leading  slightly  southwest  by  Lagunillas  and  the 
other  around  by  Charagua  and  across  the  Parapiti,  later  converging 
and  crossing  the  Pilcomayo  at  Puerto  Montes  or  San  Francisco. 
The  road  reaches  the  border  at  Vacuiha  and  continues  thence  to  the 
terminus  of  the  Argentine  Central  Northern  Railway  at  Embarcacion, 
a  distance  of  ahout  879  kilometers  (546  miles)  from  Santa  Cruz. 
Most  of  the  t radio  over  this  road  is  by  means  of  mules,  though  oxcarts 
are  also  used  for  some  classes  of  merchandise.  At  certain  times  of 
the  year  there  is  a  lack  of  water  over  some  of  the  southern  si  retches 
of  the  road  and  at  other  times  the  road  is  almost  impassable  as  a 
result  of  heavy  rains. 

Tarija  has  road  connections  with  Villazon  over  a  bad  trail.  240 
kilometers  (150  miles)  long,  with  the  Bermejo  Valley  to  the  south  via 
Padcaya,  and  over  a  roundabout  and  little-used  trail  with  Yacuiba. 
Still  other  trails  go  west  over  the  mountains  to  Tupiza  and  northeast 
to  Puerto  Montes  on  the  Pilcomayo. 

LAKE  AND  RIVER  NAVIGATION. 

Lake  Titicaca  is  the  highest  lake  in  the  world  navigated  by  steam 
vessels,  being  located  at  a  height  of  12,500  feet  above  the  sea.  It  is 
navigated  by  the  four  steamers  of  the  Lake  Titicaca  Navigation  Co.,  a 
subsidiary  of  the  Peruvian  Corporation.  These  vessels,  which  are  r>\' 
650  to  1,000  tons  burden,  were  carried  in  sections  by  cart  and  mule 
over  the  mountains  to  the  shores  of  the  lake  and  there  assembled. 
They  are  comfortably  equipped  for  passenger  traffic,  and  with  good 
weather  the  voyage  across  the  lake  between  Puno  and  Guaqui  is  a 
very  enjoyable  trip.  These  boats  form  a  link  in  the  through  service 
between  La  Paz  and  Mollendo.  One  steamer  a  week  stops  at  several 
points  along  the  lake,  while  the  alternate  steamer  makes  the  direct 
all-night  run  between  Puno  and  Guaqui. 

The  tradio  returns  during  1917—18  and  1<)1S-1«)  were  as  follows: 


Items. 


I  ! 

<  »peral  ing  expen  e 
Not  receipt 


L917   In  .. 


Pounds 
sterling. 


15,587 
27.704 


17  883 


Dollars. 


221,849 
134,822 


L918  L9 


Pounds 
sterling. 


11, 807 
28,651 


Hollars. 


87,027        13,156 


The    decrease    in    freight    traffic    amounted    to    16,718    tons;    II.L'L'I 

passengers  were  carried  in  L917   18  and  12,262  in  I'.ms   m. 

The  ordinary  native  craft  used  on  1  ,ake  Titicaca  consist  of  "balsas" 
or  ii't'(\  canoes,  which  are  propelled   l>\    sails  of  the  same  material  or 

by   paddles. 

Excepl  for  the  Rio  Desaguadero,  on  which  small  steamers  can  run. 
most  of  the  navigable  streams  of  Bolivia  are  found  in  the  northwestern 
pari  of  the  Republic,  when-  a  number  of  great  rivers  How  into  the 


TRANSPOKTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  99 

Amazon.  There  are  thousands  of  miles  of  navigable  rivers  in  this 
reo-ion.  Not  only  are  vast  rivers  like  the  Madre  dc  Dios,  Beni, 
Mamore,  and  Itenez  navigable  for  much  of  their  course,  but  small 
steamers  can  ascend  many  of  their  affluents  for  considerable  dis- 
tances. The  principal  navigable  rivers,  with  their  limits  of  launch 
navigation,  are  as  follows  (tributaries  are  indicated  by  indentions): 

Rivers.  Limits. 

Acre « Cobija. 

Abuna Santa  Rosa. 

Orton-Tahuamami Porvenir. 

Madre  de  Dios Puerto  Maldonado. 

Beni Rurrenabaque  (Puerto  Salinas). 

Mamore: 

( Jhapare Todos  Santos  (Santa  Rosa). 

Chimore Chimore. 

Sara Puerto   Velarde   (confluence   of 

Pirai  and  Grande). 

Pirai Cuatro  Ojos. 

Grande Higuerones. 

Itenez.. Matto  Grosso  (Brazil). 

Itonama San  Pablo. 

Baures Baures. 

Paragua Florida. 

The  Madre  de  Dios  is  navigable  for  about  1,200  kilometers  (750 
miles),  the  Beni  for  nearly  1,000  kilometers  (620  miles),  the  Mamore 
for  about  1,300  kilometers  (810  miles),  and  the  Itenez  for  almost 
1,700  kilometers  (1,060  miles). 

The  principal  obstacles  to  navigation  in  some  of  the  Amazonian 
headwaters  consist  of  bars  and  "palisadas"  or  snags.  During  the 
time  of  high  water  these  streams  eat  away  their  banks  on  one  side, 
with  the  result  that  large  trees  fall  into  the  river  and  offer  serious 
impediments  to  craft  using  the  river.  Light-draft  snag  boats,  such 
as  are  used  on  some  of  our  western  rivers,  are  needed  to  clear 
the  channels  thus  obstructed.  The  course  of  some  of  the  rivers  is 
also  broken  by  dangerous  "cachuelas"  or  rapids.  The  Madeira- 
Mamore  Railway  was  built  to  avoid  the  series  of  terrible  rapids  of 
these  two  rivers.  Before  the  construction  of  this  line  great  numbers 
of  boatmen  were  drowned  and  large  quantities  of  rubber  were  lost 
from  capsized  "batelones"  in  attempts  to  run  these  rapids.  Often 
the  cargo  was  unloaded  and  portages  effected  around  the  rapids, 
causing  a  great  loss  of  time,  so  that  the  return  voyage  between 
Riberaita  and  Porto  Velho  required  several  months  to  make.  One  of 
the  most  famous  of  these  rapids  is  the  Cachuela  Esperanza  in  the 
Beni,  a  short  distance  above  Villa  Bella,  and  the  Cachuela  Fortaleza 
in  the  upper  Abuna  is  another  bad  pass.  At  the  Cachuela  Esperanza 
the  Beni  is  about  900  yards  wide,  and  in  a  distance  of  about  300 
yards  the  river  has  a  fall  of  nearly  20  feet. 

The  navigability  of  these  rivers  also  depends  largely  on  the  season 
of  the  year.  Streams  that  can  be  used  for  steamers  of  relatively 
large  draft  during  the  rainy  season  and  for  some  time  after  may 
only  be  passable  for  rowboats  during  the  height  of  the  dry  season. 
This  is  particularly  true  of  the  Acre,  by  which  steamers  from  Manaos 
can  reach  Cobija  for  several  months  of  the  year,  but  which  is  only 
open  for  "batelones"  during  much  of  the  dry  season.  The  differ- 
ence in  the  amount  of  water  between  the  two  seasons  is  illustrated 
by  conditions  at  Concepcion  on  the  Beni,  where  the  level  of  the  river 


100        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

varies  from  8  feel  in  August  to  25  feel  in  February.  At  Carmen  od 
the  Madre  de  Dios  the  Level  of  Water  varies  from  7  feel  in  August  to 
a  maximum  of  30  feet  in  February,  and  at  Porvenir  on  the  Tahua- 
manu  the  difference  Is  between  3  feet  and  21  feet. 

There  are  several  types  of  boats  used  on  these  rivers,  known  as 
"balsas,"  "batelones,  "callapos,"  "chalupas,"  "monterias,"  etc. 
The  "balsa"  is  a  kind  of  raft,  made  of  a  light  wood  known  as  "palode 
balsa."  It  is  usually  about  25  feel  Long  and  5  feel  wide,  and  may 
have  a  capacity  of  as  much  as  800  pounds  of  cargo,  exclusive  of  the 
rowei-.  Balsas"  are  most  commonly  found  on  the  Mapiri  and  the 
upper  Beni.  The  "eallapo"  is  made  by  Lashing  two  or  three  "balsas  " 
together,  and  will  carry  up  to  a  ton  and  a  half  of  cargo.  The 
"cnalupa"  is  a  dugout  canoe  generally  used  by  the  Guarayos  and 
Caripunas  Indians.  The  "batelones"  are  the  craft  most  widely  used 
for  transporting  rubber  over  long  distances.  These  boats  may  be 
40  or  50  feet  long  by  10  feet  wide,  and  have  a  capacity  of  several  tons 
of  cargo. 

Most  of  the  launches  used  on  these  rivers  are  of  10  to  50  tons 
burden.  There  are  about  15  steamers  of  this  class  in  service  on  the 
Mamore  and  its  affluents.  The  tonnage  of  these  boats  varies  from 
10  to  120,  but  the  majority  of  them  are  of  25  tons.  Most  of  the 
launches  on  all  these  rivers  are  operated  by  the  rubber  companies, 
which  not  only  use  them  to  carry  their  rubber  and  merchandise  but 
do  a  general  freight  and  passenger  business  as  common  carriers. 
The  launches  are  mostly  wood  burners  and  travel  in  a  very  Leisurely 
maimer,  stopping  wherever  there  is  cargo  to  take  on  or  disembark. 
The  most  important  launch  owners  arc  Suarez  Hermanos  (Madre  de 
Dios,  Orton,  Beni,  and  Mamore  Rivers);  Braillard  &  Co..  (Beni, 
Mamore);  Alfredo  W.  Barber  &  Co.  (Beni,  Mamore,  [tenez);  Zeller, 
Villinger  &  Co.  (Mamore,  Itenez);  Madeira-Mamore  Railway  Co. 
(Mamore);  Societe  Picollct  (Abuna);  Komarez  &  Bruckner  (Itenez); 
Sociedad  ComerciaJ  Matto  Grosso  y  Bolivia  (Itenez);  and  C.  ML 
Barbery  (Mamore).  The  Bolivian  Government  also  operates  a 
small  fleet  of  launches,  which  not  only  are  used  for  Government 
business  but  also  operate  as  common  carriers  over  certain  stretches 
of  the  rivers.  These  Launches  are  in  charge  of  Sr.  Benjamin  Bowles, 
the  son  of  an  American  long  resident  in  Santa  Cruz. 

TELEGRAPHS. 

The  internal  public  telegraph  system  of  Bolivia  is  controlled  by 
the  State,  and  is  under  the  administration  of  the  National  Depart- 
ment of  Posts  and  Telegraphs  (Direccidn  de  Correos  \  Tel6grafos),  a 
branch  of  the  Ministry  of  Government  or  Gobierno.     The  national 

lines  not  only  connect  the  principal  centers  of  the  plateau  hut  fur- 
nish communications  with  such  distant  points  as  Santa  Cruz.  Tarija, 
and  frontier  points  like  Yilla/.on  and  Yacuiba.  The  line  from  Cocha- 
bamba  to  Santa  Cruz  has  been  continued  north  to  Cuatro  Ojos  at 
the  junction  of  the  l'irai  and  the  Grande,  and  the  line  into  Sucre 
readies  Padilla  lo  the  east.  From  this  point  there  is  a  privately 
owned  line  through  Lagunillas,  which  connects  with  the  State  line 
that  puns  north  from  Yacuiba  through  Villa  Montes.  Another  line 
from  La  Paz  connects  the  towns  of  the  Yungas  and  has  its  other  ter- 
minal at  Cochabamba.  All  the  important  mining  centers  have  tele- 
graphic communications,  and  State  lines  follow  mosl  of  the  railway-. 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    COMMUNICATIONS.  101 

The  Arica-La  Paz,  the  Guaqui-La  Paz,  and  the  Bolivia  Railway 
all  have  their  own  telegraph  systems,  which  parallel  their  lines,  and 
the  same  is  true  of  the  line  operated  by  the  Cia.  Huanchaca  de 
Bolivia.  While  these  lines  are  primarily  for  the  use  of  the  companies 
which  own  them,  the  Government  has  the  privilege  of  using  their 
wires  for  sending  official  messages.  Connections  are  had  with 
Argentina  and  Chile  over  the  State  lines  via,  respectively,  Tupiza 
and   Uyuni. 

The  Bolivian  Government  now  has  wireless  stations  at  Viacha, 
Trinidad  (El  Beni),  Cobija  (Colonias),  Riberalta  (El  Beni),  Villa 
Bella  (El  Beni),  Yacuiba,  and  the  three  "fortines."  or  posts  of  D'Or- 
bigny,  Ballivian,  and  Esteros  on  the  lower  Pilcomayo.  The  Govern- 
ment's program  provides  for  the  installation  of  other  stations  at 
Apolo  and  Rurrenabaque  in  the  upper  Beni  Basin,  Cachuela  Esperanza 
and  Guayaramerin  in  the  lower  Beni  region,  Magdalena  and  Baures 
in  the  Itenez,  Todos  Santos  on  the  Chapare,  and  Concepcion,  San 
Ignacio,  Santa  Cruz,  and  Puerto  Suarez  in  the  Department  of  Santa 
Cruz.  Connections  may  be  had  by  the  Riberalta  station  with  the 
Brazilian  system  at  Porto  Velho.  The  central  station  of  the  Bolivian 
system  is  at  Viacha  near  La  Paz.  Under  certain  conditions  private 
messages  may  be  sent  by  the  Government  wireless,  but  these  stations 
are  primarily  intended  to  enable  the  Government  to  maintain  commu- 
nications with  the  distant  and  isolated  parts  of  the  country.  At 
present  telegraphic  connections  between  La  Paz  and  Puerto  Suarez 
are  by  way  of  Buenos  Aires  and  Sao  Paulo. 

The  foreign  telegraphic  connections  of  Bolivia  are  over  the  All- 
America  Cables  (via  Colon),  which  has  acquired  the  old  line  from 
the  coast  formerly  operated  by  the  Cia.  de  Telegrafos  a  Bolivia  (via 
Tacna),  and  over  the  West  Coast  of  America  Telegraph  Co.,  a  sub- 
sidiary of  the  Western  Telegraph  Co.  (Ltd.).  Messages  sent  by  the 
former  make  connections  with  the  main  cable  at  Iquique,  and  those 
sent  by  the  latter  are  routed  via  Guaqui,  Mollendo,  and  thence  south 
and  across  the  Andes  to  the  east-coast  connections  with  the  United 
States.  The  All-America  Co.'s  full  rate  from  New  York  to  La  Paz  is 
50  cents  a  word,  and  half  that  for  deferred  messages. 


MINING. 

INTRODUCTORY  SURVEY. 

The  mining  industry  forms  the  basis  of  the  economic  life  of  Bolivia 
to  a  degree  unknown  in  any  other  South  American  Republic.  On 
the  plateau,  which  is  the  most  highly  developed  part  of  the  country, 

it  dwarfs  in  importance  all  other  industries.  Most  of  the  large 
centers  of  population  are  situated  near  mining  districts  or,  as  in  the 
ease  of  Oruro  and  Potosi,  are  themselves  mining  cities.  In  1919, 
87.8s  per  cent  of  the  total  exports  of  Bolivia  consisted  of  minerals, 
amounting  to  a  total  value  of  126, 632, (>7."  bolivianos.  The  du1 
collected  from  these  exports  amounted  to  6,264,143  bolivianos. 

The  history  of  mining  in  Bolivia  dates  from  the  beginning  of  the 
colonial  regime.  During  that  period  the  mines  of  Potosi,  Oruro,  and 
Colquechaca,  among  others,  were  worked  on  a  s<  ale  that  gave  large 
returns  to  the  producers  and  to  the  Spanish  Crown.  However,  in 
the  last  cent  my  of  Spanish  rule  there  was  a  marked  decline  in  mineral 
production  that  continued  through  the  troubled  period  of  the  'Wars 
of  Independence  and  well  into  the  last  century.  The  turbulence  of 
those  times  and  the  falling  price  of  silver  were  unfavorable  to  any 
revival  of  prosperity.  However,  the  gradual  establishment  of  a 
settled  order  in  the  country,  the  construction  of  railways,  and  the 
increased  profitableness  of  the  mining  of  tin  and  other  base  metals, 
as  opposed  to  silver,  gave  the  needed  impulse  that  has  resulted  in 
the  prosperous  development  of  tin-  past  few  decades. 

The  mineralized  part  of  Bolivia  comprises  virtually  the  entire 
mountainous  region  of  the  plateau,  from  north  of  Lake  Titicaca  to 
the  Argentine  border.  However,  most  of  the  mining  development 
has  taken  place  in  the  country  to  the  east  of  the  north-and-south 
railway  from  La  Paz  to  Atocha.  Though  mineral  resources  of 
undoubted  value  exist  in  the  Cordillera  Occidental  to  the  west  of 
this  line,  the  only  mining  district  of  actual  importance  in  this  region 
is  that  of  Corocoro. 

The  Department  of  Potosi,  in  which  the  most  highly  worked  part 
of  the  great  mineral  belt  of  Bolivia  lies,  contains  the  mining  districts 
of  Uncia  and  Llallagua  (from  which  most  of  the  Bolivian  tin  produc- 
tion is  derived),  Potosi,  Porco,  Colquechaca,  Huanchaca,  and  the 
^ramayo-Francke  and  Oploca  mines  in  the  Chichas  Provinces  south- 
east of  lynni.  The  Department  of  Oruro  contains  those  o\'  Moroca- 
cala,  Avicaya,  Antequera,  and  the  mines  situated  on  the  edge  oi  the 
cil\  of  Oruro.  In  the  Department  of  La  Paz  are  the  mines  of 
Corocoro,  Araca,  Monte  Blanco,  Caracoles,  and   Milium. 

FACTORS  AFFECTING  THF  MINING  INDUSTRY. 
TRANSPORTATION. 

Foremosl  among  the  problems  with  which  the  mining  industry  of 
Bolivia  has  had  to  contend  has  been  that  of  transportation.  There 
arc  stil]   some   important    mineral   districts   whose  development  is 

102 


MINING.  103 

impracticable  because  of  the  distance  from  a  railway,  and  this  con- 
dition was,  of  course,  even  more  common  before  the  advent  of  the 
lines  that  have  linked  up  the  plateau  with  the  coast  and  furnished 
rail  connections  for  rich  mining  districts.  The  mines  of  Oruro, 
Potosi,  Huanchaca,  Corocoro,  Huanuni,  Poopo,  Porco,  and  Beren- 
guela  now  have  convenient  railway  outlets.  The  line  from  Machaca- 
marca  will  soon  reach  the  Uncia-Llallagua  district,  and  it  is  planned 
later  to  extend  it  to  Colqnechaca.  A  spur  of  the  Atocha  branch  of  the 
Bolivia  Railway  is  planned  to  run  into  the  Chocaya  mines,  which  are 
now  only  a  few  miles  from  the  main  line  of  the  railroad.  However, 
some  of  the  other  Aramayo-Francke  and  Oploca  properties  in  the 
same  region  are  still  at  a  considerable  distance  from  railway  trans- 
portation. This  is  also  the  case  with  most  of  the  mines  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  La  Paz,  especially  in  the  high  Inquisivi  district,  In  order 
to  solve  the  transportation  problem  of  their  Caracoles  properties  in 
this  section,  the  Guggenheim  interests  are  building  an  excellent 
automobile  road  from  the  Eucalyptus  station  of  the  Bolivia  Rail- 
way to  their  mines.  Mines  which  are  located  at  some  distance  from 
a  railway  depend  on  oxcarts  for  bringing  in  machinery  and  other 
heavy  equipment,  This  method  is  not  only  slow  and  cumbersome, 
but  the  heavier  kinds  of  mining  equipment  can  not  be  transported 
at  all  in  this  manner.  Ores  and  concentrates  are  usually  packed  in 
sacks  and  sent  out  to  the  railway  by  pack  trains.  Llamas  and 
burros  are  used  for  this  work.  Though  the  llama's  carrying  capacity 
is  small — generally  from  70  to  90  pounds —his  original  cost  and  his 
subsequent  maintenance  are  comparatively  small  items.  A  llama 
train  will  make  from  10  to  12  miles  a  day,  the  animals  being  allowed 
to  graze  at  intervals  along  the  way.  For  carrying  ores  over  short 
distances  by  gravity,  cableways  or  "andarheles"  are  used  in  a  few 
mines,  as  in  tne  Soux  mines  at  Potosi  and  at  the  Patiiio  mines  at 
Uncia. 

LABOR 

Most  of  the  workmen  employed  in  the  mines  are  native  "cholos" 
and  Indians,  as  this  has  proved  to  be  the  only  labor  element  adapted 
to  the  special  conditions  of  the  mining  regions.  The  efficiency  of 
labor  imported  from  lower  altitudes  decreases  greatly  in  the  mines, 
some  of  which  are  located  at  15,000  to  18,000  feet  above  sea  level. 
The  local  supply  of  labor  is  limited,  and,  because  of  intemperate 
habits  and  the  "difficult  conditions  of  life  in  that  environment,  the 
normal  rate  of  increase  can  scarcely  keep  pace  with  the  growing 
demands  of  the  mining  industry.  Though  slow,  these  men  are  in 
general  as  good  miners  as  are  to  be  found  in  South  America.  While 
a  more  capable  worker,  the  Chilean  "roto"  is,  as  a  rule,  less  steady 
and  dependable  than  the  Bolivian  cholo.  There  have  been  few  labor 
difficulties  in  the  Bolivian  mines,  though  there  was  a  strike  at  Llalla- 
gua  during  1919.  Hours  for  mine  labor  vary  from  9  to  11,  and 
wages  from  1  to  7  bolivianos  a  day,  with  the  average  near  3  bolivianos. 
The  lower  wages  are  paid  to  women  and  children,  who  are  employed 
in  some  places  at  sorting  ores.  Some  of  them  receive  less  than  1 
boliviano  a  dav  for  this  class  of  work. 


104        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

FUEL  AND  POWER. 

As  the  water  supply  is  short  in  some  districts,  these  mining  com- 
panies bare  been  put  to  a  great  deal  of  trouble  iu  obtaining  sufficient 
water  for  their  needs,  for  both  their  concentration  and  their  power 
plants.     The  fuel  problem  has  always  been  serious  on  the  Bolivian 

f)lateau.  and  mining  enterprises  have  utilized  every  local  source  of 
uel  that  was  available.  These  include  "tola",  a  resinous  shrub 
which  grows  on  the  table-land  ;  "taquia,"  or  llama  dung;  and  "vareta," 
a  large  fungous,  mossy-looking  growth  that  has  good  fuel  properties. 
However,  the  supply  of  all  these  is  limited  and  is  entirely  insufficient 
for  the  needs  of  the  mines.  The  price  of  coal  is  virtually  prohibitive, 
but  fuel  oil  is  used  for  the  Diesel  engines,  which  are  widely  used. 
Consequently  the  mining  companies  tend  tp  rely  on  hydroelectric 
power  wherever  possible,  and  some  modern  plants  have  been  installed 
in  connection  with  the  larger  mines,  as  at  Llallagua.  On  the  eastern 
slopes  of  the  Andes  there  are  generally,  within  reach  of  the  mines, 
streams  that  can  be  made  to  serve  for  power  purposes.  Represen- 
tatives of  a  large  American  electrical  development  company  made  an 
extensive  survey  of  the  power  possibilities  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
mountains  in  1920,  with  a  view7  to  the  establishment  of  electrical 
plants  which  could  supply  current  for  industrial  enterprises  of  all 
kinds,  including  mines. 

SMELTING. 

Smelting  has  been  little  developed  in  Bolivia  because  of  the  high 
cost  of  fuel.  For  several  years  Luis  Soux  has  operated  a  small 
smelter  at  Potosi,  which  produces  the  tin  bars  known  as  "Potosi 
bars."  Using  charcoal  as  fuel,  this  plant  smelts  tin  ores  in  water- 
jacketed  furnaces,  the  furnaces  being  connected  by  flues  to  boilers. 
The  gases  produced  are  used  to  raise  steam  in  the  boiler  for  remelting 
the  tin  in  the  refining  plant.  The  tin  comes  from  the  furnace  about 
92  per  cent  pure,  and  the  tin  content  is  raised  to  96  or  97  per  cent 
by  remelting.  In  1914  some  French  capitalists  studied  the  possi- 
bilities of  erecting  an  electric  smelter,  which  wrould  receive  its  power 
from  a  large  hydroelectric  installation.  However,  this  project  was 
cut  short  by  the  war.  The  next  year  American  interests  made  pro- 
posals to  the  Bolivian  Government  t<>  install  a  system  of  electric 
smelters  in  the  country.  They  suggested  that  an  export  tax  he  put 
on  tin  concentrates  that  would  force  all  tin  ores  to  he  sent  to  the 
company's  smelters.  The  Government  was  asked  to  grant  exclusive 
lights  for  25  years,  it  to  receive  I"  per  cent  of  the  amounts  paid  by 
the  mining  companies  for  smelting  their  ores.  Two  rival  concerns 
were  interested  in  this  smelter  project,  and  considerable  discussion 
was  aroused  in  mining  circles  in  Bolivia  much  of  it  hostile  to  the 
project    because   of   its   monopoly   character.     An   experiment    was 

made  with  an  electric  smelter  at  La  Pa/,  by  the  so-called  Andes  Tin 
Smelting  Co.,  but  it  proved  unsuccessful,  and  with  its  failure  the 
movement  I'm-  electric  smelters  ended.  However,  the  Llallagua 
company  put  up  a  smelter  at  Aries  through  a  subsidiary  concern 
know  n  as  the  Compafiia  Chilefia  de  Fundiciorj  de  Estano,  which  was 
capitalized   at    £50,000   ($243,325).     This  is  a  small  reverberatory 

-inciter,  which  uses  petroleum  residue  and  anthracite  as  fuel. 
Though  part  of  its  early  product   assayed  at  only  99  per  cent  tin, 


MINING. 


105 


it  has  produced  some  with  a  tin  content  of  99.84  per  cent.  However, 
the  plant  has  not  proved  a  success,  and  its  operation  has  been 
suspended. 

Bolivian  ores  are  generally  complex,  and  often  demand  special 
treatment  in  smelting.  An  intimate  relation  exists  between  tin, 
silver,  bismuth,  and  tungsten  ores,  and  the  ores  are  sometimes 
further  complicated  by  the  presence  of  antimony,  lead,  or  copper. 
Silver  and  tin  are  often  found  in  the  same  vein,  as  at  Oruro  and 
Potosi.  It  is  this  circumstance  that  makes  it  difficult  to  divide  the 
country  into  districts  on  the  basis  of  any  predominant  metaliferous 
ores.  Before  1890  such  ores  were -usually  worked  for  their  silver 
alone,  but  since  that  time  attention  has  mainly  been  given  to  their 
tin  content. 

Ores  are  shipped  as  "barrilla"  or  concentrate  after  treatment  in 
the  "ingenios"  or  reduction  plants  operated  by  the  mining  com- 
panies. The  tin  content  of  the  barrilla  exported  from  Bolivia  varies 
from  60  to  70  per  cent,  but  the  bulk  of  the  export  runs  66  or  67  per 
cent  tin.  The  final  smelting  is  done  in  Europe  or  the  United  States. 
Formerly  all  the  concentrates  went  to  England  and  Germany,  but 
two  smelters  erected  in  the  United  States  since  1915  are  taking  an 
increasing  proportion  of  the  Bolivian  exports.  The  American 
Smelting  &  Refining  Co.  began  the  erection  of  a  smelter  at  Perth 
Amboy,  N.  J.,  in  March,  1915,  and  in  1917  increased  its  capacity  to 
1,500  tons  a  month.  Ninety-nine  per  cent  tin  is  produced  in  the 
furnaces,  and  this  is  refined  by  an  electrolytic  process  to  99.90  per 
cent  and  even  better.  This  is  higher  than  the  average  content  of 
the  Straits  tin,  which  sets  the  standard  in  the  world's  tin  market. 
The  Williams  Harvey  Corporation,  which  is  controlled  by  the 
Williams  Harvey  Co.,  of  Liverpool,  the  National  Lead  Co.,  and 
Simon  Patino,  the  Bolivian  tin  magnate,  has  since  erected  another 
smelter  on  Long  Island. 

DUTIES. 

Another  factor  which  closely  concerns  the  mining  business  is  the 
duties  that  are  levied  on  the  production  and  exportation  of  minerals 
by  the  Bolivian  Government.  On  February  26,  1920,  a  graduated 
tax  on  mineral  production  was  promulgated  by  the  President  of  the 
Republic.  Article  1  states  that  the  profits  obtained  by  mining 
enterprises  in  general,  whatever  the  form  in  which  they  are  organized, 
will  be  subject  to  the  payment  of  the  following  taxes: 

From  the  total  of  the  net  profits  there  will  be  deducted  a  sum 
amounting  to  10  per  cent  of  the  capital  stock.  This  10  per  cent  will 
be  free  from  taxation.  After  this  sum  has  been  deducted,  the 
amount  of  the  profits  will  be  taxed  according  to  the  following  scale: 


Percentage  of 
profits.    * 

Percent- 
age of  tax. 

Percentage  of 
profits. 

Percent- 
age of  tax. 

Percentage  of 
profits. 

Percent- 
age of  tax. 

ltol5 

S 
9 
10 
11 
12 

95  to  115 

13 

14 
15 
17 
19 

215  to  245 

15  to  35 

115  to  135 

245  to  275 

23 

35  to  55 

135  to  155. . . 

155  to  185 

30 

75  to  95 

1S5  to  215. . 

106        BOLIVIA:    \    COMMERCIAL   WD    [NDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

All  enterprises  whose  profits  do  nol  amount  to  20,000  bolivianos  a 

year  arc  exempted  from  the  payment   of  this  tax. 

Other  articles  included  in  the  law  define  the  usage  of  the  term 
"capital,"  limit   the  total  of  salaries  and  bonuses  to  employees  to 

20  per  cent  of  the  production,  and  state  that  stores  conducted  by 
the  mining  companies  or  the  rents  which  they  produce  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  an  integral  part  of  the  mining  business.  The  President  of 
the  Republic  is  empowered  to  order  such  investigations  as  he  may 
consider  necessary  in  order  to  insure  the  veracity  and  exactness  of 
the   balances   of   the   companies. 

To  the  end  of  May  of  the  same  year  the  Government  had  collected 
a  total  of  1,927,590  bolivianos  from  four  companies;  L,867,412  boli- 
vianos of  this  was  paid  by  the  Llallagua  company.1 

On  February  20,  1920,  the  Bolivian  Government  established  an 
export  duty  on  silver.  The  principal  provisions  of  the  supreme 
decree  of  that  date  were  as  follows: 

1.  From  March  3  the  customhouses  of  the  Republic  -will  collect  a  duty  on  the 
exportation  of  silver,  taking  as  basis  the  kilogram  of  pure  silver,  in  whatever  form  it 
may  lie  exported.  The  commercial  quotations  of  the  market  value  of  silver  will 
serve  as  basis  fur  assessing  the  duty. 

If  the  epiotationof  the  standard  troy  ounce  in  the  London  market  docs  not  exceed 
20  pence,  each  kilogram  of  silver  exported  shall  pay  4  centavos. 

(6)  If  the  quotation  exceeds  20  pence,  but  does  not  exceed  -to  pence,  the  duty  will 
be  increased  at  the  rate  of  I  centavos  per  kilogram  for  each  penny  of  ex.  i 

If  the  quotation  exceeds  40  pence,  there  shall  be  added  to  the  former  rat 
centavos  per  kilogram  for  each  penny  of  the  additional  excess.     Fractions  of  the  penny 
are  not  to  be  considered  in  levying  the  duty. 

2.  In  case  the  New  York  quotations  predominate  in  the  silver  market,  the  equiva- 
lent of  the  former  quotation  will  be  determined  in  American  money  on  the  basis  of 
the  par  exchange  with  English  money. 

3.  Worked  silver  or  old  plate  shall  pay,  whatever  the  percentage  of  silver  in  it.  at 
the  rate  of  8  bolivianos  per  kilogram.  (Silver  articles  of  artistic  or  historical  value 
can  not  be  exported,  according  to  law  of  Oct.  3,  1906.) 

4.  Exporters  shall  declare  in  the  invoice1  of  exportation  the  percentage  of  silver  in 
the  ore  exported,  and  on  this  provisional  basis  the  export  duties  shall  be  levied. 
The  final  settlement  of  the  duties  will  be  decided  by  assay  of  the  ore  or  by  the  bills 
of  sale  of  the  produd  exported. 

5.  (Provides  I'.jr  t  lie  method  of  making  the  assay  in  the  office  of  internal  revenues.) 

6.  It  the  result  of  the  assay  show  a  difference  againsl  the  interests  of  the  treasury. 
there  shall  be  levied  double  the  duty  of  which  the  Governmenl  would  have  been 
defrauded. 

7.  Bills  of  sale  are  to  be  presented  at  the  customhouse  within  180  days,  for  the  purpose 
of  verifying  the  invoices  oi  exportation. 

8.  In  case  the  assay  should  prove  the  quantity  of  metal  to  he  less  than  as  specified 
in  the  invoice,  the  difference  in  duties  will  not  he  returned  to  the  exporter. 

The  schedules  of  export  duties  levied  on  tin.  copper,  wolfram, 
antimony,  and  bismuth  are  found  on  pages  7-53  of  the  publication 
entitled  "Arancel  de  Derechos  de  Exportaci6n,"  which  may  be  con- 
sulted at  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic Commerce,  in  Washing- 
ton, or  purchased  from  any  of  the  La  i'a/.  hook  stores  for  the  sum  of 
L0  bolivianos,  in  addition  to  1  boliviano  to  cover  cosl  of  postage. 

i  Editor'  tor  V.pr.  i.  1921,  the  following  note  appeared:  "Several  new 

I  to  take  the  place  of  the  law  recently  passed  by  1  be  funta  raising  the  Bolivian  tax 

on  oil  and  mineral  to  50  centavos  per  hectare.    Tholaw  which  is  Info  i  Increased 

the  tax  on  land   beldund  ■.>  »1,    ilphur,  a   d  lignite  concessions  from  S  bout  3  cents  1 

ml  18  cents).    This  tax.  according  to  the  law.  Is  due  every  six  months.    »  >fthe  amount 

!  'i  >in  i  hi   Increa  od  mineral  taxation,  30  per  i  ei  i  1 1  to  be  u  '■'!  in  the  construction  of  the  railway 

from  Poto  I  to  8u  I  for  the  i  illway  from  Cochabamba  to  Santa  Cruz,  and  i  be  remaining  40 

Iti  lation  elite  e  in  the  adoption  oi  any  of  the  new 

proposed  laws  wfl]  be  puMi  in  i." 


MINING.  107 

MINING  LAW. 

The  following  extract  from  a  report  by  Consul  Hazeltine,  formerly 
at  La  Paz,  contains  the  essential  facts  of  Bolivian  mining  law: 

There  is  probably  no  country  in  the  world  where  the  mining  laws  in 
general  are  more  favorable  to  the  foreigner  than  in  Bolivia.  All 
foreigners,  regardless  of  nationality,  may  acquire  mineral  claims 
under  exactly  the  same  conditions  as  citizens  of  Bolivia.  Nor  are 
these  conditions  onerous  or  difficult  of  fulfillment.  Moreover,  all 
machinery  for  mineral  or  agricultural  uses  is  admitted  duty  free,  and 
the  exportation  of  mineral  ores  is  free,  with  the  exception  of  tin, 
copper,  silver,  gold,  bismuth,  and  tungsten,  which  are  subject  to  a 
comparatively  light  export  duty  herein  set  forth. 

Any  individual,  foreigner  or  national,  may  acquire  one  or  more 
claims  in  known  minerals,  and  in  recently  discovered  minerals  he 
may  acquire  30  claims  if  the  deposits  are  metalliferous,  and  if  they 
are  not  metalliferous  he  may  obtain  74  claims.  The  claim,  or  unit 
of  measure  for  mineral  concessions,  is  a  square  of  100  meters  measured 
horizontally— that  is  10,000  square  meters.  Any  person  may  freely 
prospect  on  public  lands  without  a  license,  but  is  obliged  to  notify 
the  local  administrative  authorities.  A  concession  of  one  or  more 
claims  must  be  applied  for  before  the  prefect  or  delegate  of  the  De- 
partment in  which  the  claim  is  situated.  The  application  must  be 
presented  on  stamped  paper  to  the  value  of  20  bolivianos,  and  the 
semiannual  payments  are  2  bolivianos  for  each  claim  if  the  mine  is  a 
vein  and  1  boliviano  per  claim  if  placer  or  lode. 

The  application  must  state : 

(1)  Name,  residence,  and  occupation  of  applicant. 

(2)  Name  of  the  proposed  concession. 

(3)  Definite  outlines  of  the  claims. 

(4)  Number  of  claims. 

(5)  Name  of  the  mining  district,  if  any. 

(6)  Names  of  adjacent  mines  and  relative  position. 

(7)  If  private  lands,  the  name  of  the  owner. 

The  plans  must  show  astronomical  and  magnetic  bearings,  and  the 
claims  outlined  in  perfect  squares  of  1  hectare  each,  and  the  whole 
plan  on  a  scale  of  1  to  2,000. 

The  method  of  exploitation  is  completely  free,  and  the  employees 
of  mines  are  obliged  to  obey  the  laws  of  the  mining  police  with 
especial  care  for  the  life  and  health  of  the  laborers,  public  tranquillity, 
and  the  safety  of  neighboring  mines. 

No  restrictions,  legislative  or  administrative,  are  placed  on  aliens 
and  not  on  nationals  in  granting  mining  rights  or  concessions. 

No  restrictions,  legislative  or  administrative,  are  placed  on  aliens 
and  not  on  nationals  in  operating  mineral  properties  or  distributing 
mineral  products. 

There  are  no  restrictions,  either  legislative  or  administrative,  on 
the  sale  of  mining  rights  and  properties  to  aliens. 

All  mineral  rights  are  commonly  reserved  to  the  Government  by 
law  dated  October  13,  1880,  and  the  procedure  necessary  to  enable  a 
person  to  explore  or  develop  mineral  resources  is  set  forth  above. 

There  is  no  discrimination  against  foreigners  in  any  respect  what- 
soever. 

No  development  of  mineral  resources  or  distribution  of  mineral 
products  is  effected  directly  by  the  Government. 


108      Bolivia:  a  commercial  ami  endustbial  handbook. 

The  Government  docs  not  finance  any  private  companies  engaged 
in  producing  or  distributing  mineral  products. 

TIN. 

The  tin-mining  industry  in  Bolivia  is  of  very  recent  development, 
dating  from  about  L895,  when  the  decreased  production  01  silver 
from  some  of  the  Potosi  mines  diverted  the  attention  of  some  of  the 
mining  interests  of  that  place  to  the  possibilities  of  tin  mining.  Tin 
is  now  the  most  important  mineral  product  of  Bolivia,  having  sup- 

filanted  silver  for  first  place.  In  1905  Bolivia  took  second  place 
rom  Banks  and  Billiton,  and  has  since  ranked  next  to  the  Straits 
Settlements  as  a  producer  of  tin.  Though  the  industry  received  a 
temporary  setback  from  the  allied  restrictions  on  imports  during 
part  of  the  war  period,  it  quickly  recovered  when  the  market  was 
thrown  open  again. 

The  tin-miningbelt  of  Bolivia  extends  from  a  little  north  of  the 
latitude  of  La  Paz  south  almost  to  the  Argentine  border.  The 
northernmost  deposits  worked  at  present  are  those  of  Milluni  and 
Huayna  Potosi  and  the  southernmost  are  those  of  Chocaya.  The 
principal  tin  fields  are  situated  in  the  Cordillera  de  las  Tres  Cruces  or 
Quimsa  Cruz  in  the  Inquisivi  district  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz. 
in  a  long  narrow  triangle  formed  by  Oruro,  Avicava,  and  Uncia,  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  Potosi.  and  in  the  Province  of  Sur  Chichas 
in  the  Department  of  Potosi.  There  are  also  a  few  minor  isolated 
lields,  like  that  of  Bcrenguela  in  the  Department  of  Cochabamba. 
In  the  first  zone  are  located  the  mines  of  Araca.  Caracoles,  Colquiri, 
and  Monte  Blanco;  in  the  second  are  those  of  Oruro,  Morocacala, 
Huanuni.  Avicava.  Antcquera.  ami  the  enormously  rich  mines  of 
Uncia  and  Llallagua;  in  the  third  district  are  situated  the  mines  of 
the  Cerro  of  Potosi  and  of  Porco;  and  in  Sur  Chicas  are  found  the 
mines  of  the  Aramayo-Francke  and  Oploca  companies  at  Chocaya 
and  Chorolque. 

In  distinction  from  the  alluvial  deposits  of  the  Straits  Settlements. 
Bolivian  tin  is  largely  extracted  from  lodes.  Tin  placers  are  now 
little  used,  though  some  washings  are  worked  near  Oruro  and  Potosi. 
The  richest  ores  generally  run  from  6  to  8  per  cent  tin.  Ore  that  is 
rich  enough  to  ship  or  that  can  be  hand  sorted  is  known  as  "guia." 
However,  the  bulk'  of  the  ore  is  too  poor  in  tin  to  be  handled  in  this 
way  and  is  subjected  to  mechanical  concentration  to  yield  a  concen- 
trate or  "b:irrilla"  containing  from  55  to  70  per  cent  tin.  The  com- 
monest ores  are  the  dioxide,  accompanied  with  peroxide  of  iron,  and 
cassiterite  (stannic  oxide).  The  cassiterite  is  generally  found  with 
pyrites,  iron  hydroxide,  silver  ores  or  with  native  silver,  antimony, 
or  wolframite.  At  Potosi  it  is  found  in  company  with  the  yellow 
oxide  of  antimony.  The  tin-mining  methods  used  are  still  very  de- 
fective and  in  some  places  quite  crude,  in  spite  of  marked  improve- 
ments in  some  of  the  larger  plants,  as  in  those  of  Pat  i no  and  Llallagua. 
Too  little  effort  has  been  made  to  work  the  veins  with  regard  to  their 
fut  ure  produd  ivity,  hut  the  aim  has  usually  been  to  secure  the  largest 

possible  returns   in   the  quickest    time.     Also,   there  is  still  a  con- 
siderable 108S  iii  the  tailings  in  concentrating  operations. 

The  progress  of  tin  mining  is  illustrated  by  the  following  statistics 
of  exports  of  'bun-ilia-'  and  bars  for  the  years  1897-1918: 


MINING. 


109 


Years. 

Quantity. 

Years. 

Quantity. 

Value. 

1897 

Metric 

tons. 

3,749 

4,396 

9,279 

16, 234 

21,916 

17,608 

28, 131 

20, 692 

26, 912 

39, 526 

31, 324 

1908 

Metric 
tons. 

32. 542 
35,566 
38, 548 
39, 841 
38, 614 
44,594 
39, 260 
36, 492 

35. 543 
46, 956 
48, 801 

Bolivianos. 
30  925  803 

L898             

1909... 

31,654,210 
37, 006, 504 
52, 639, 603 
60, 238, 197 
67,  7.S4, 378 
42, 479,  S3S 
44, 885, 450 

1899..             

1910 

1900 

1911 

1901 

1912 

1902 

1913 

1903 

1914 

1904..                  

1905 

1916 

1906 

1917 

84,360.953 
129,611,140 

1907 

1918 

In  1918  tin  accounted  for  71  per  cent  of  the  value  of  all  Bolivian 
exports.  The  export  duties  levied  on  tin  amounted  in  1918  to 
7,380,653  bolivianos,  or  89.50  per  cent  of  all  export  duties  collected 
during  the  year. 

The  source  of  the  tin  exports  of  1918,  according  to  Departments 
where  produced,  was  as  follows: 


Departments. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

39, 292, 646 
7,687,486 
1,528,517 

292,  378 

102  881  522 

21  9S6  605 

3  950  633 

810,  3S0 

Total 

48,801,027 

129,629,140 

The  proportion  of  tin  exported  by  some  of  the  more  important 
producers  during  the  period  1912-1919  was  as  follows: 


1912 

1913 

1914 

Producers. 

Kilos. 

Percent- 
age. 

Kilos. 

Percent- 
age. 

Kilos. 

Percent- 
age. 

13,946,600 
3, 312, 085 

36.13 

8.57 

16,005,986 
5,771,633 

35.90 
12.95 

10, 763, 3S5 
4,  S40, 232 

28.91 

13  00 

Cia.  Minera  de  Oruro 

Empresa  Consolidada  Colquechaca. . 

1-N,173 

322,  422 

233, 354 

4,156,616 

.32 

.84 

.61 

10.76 

191, 242 
315, 742 
594, 388 
680,174 
1,514,516 
IS,  359, 938 

.51 

337, 936 

541, 700 

3,673,051 

.75 
1.21 
8.23 

.84 

1  59 

A  raniayo-Franeke 

Soux 

1.82 
4.06 

Others 

16, 514, 755 

42.77 

18,264/443 

40.96 

49.27 

Total 

3S,  614, 305 

100. 00 

44, 594, 749 

100. 00 

37,259,617 

100. 00 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

Producers. 

Kilos. 

Per- 
centage. 

Kilos. 

Per- 
centage. 

Kilos. 

Per- 
centage. 

29.39 

•JO.  18 

2.40 

1.48 

.75 

.47 

8.91 

2.93 

27.49 

Kilos. 

Per- 
centage. 

10,112,553 

5, 811, 944 

1,156,339 

252, 169 

292, 576 

317, 361 

1, 209,  840 

2, 376, 152 

14,963,201 

27.72 

15.93 

3.16 

.69 

.80 

.86 

3.31 

6.52 

41.01 

10, 369, 924 

7,187,094 

1, 069,  280 

257,634 

279, 435 

248, 930 

3, 430,  701 

1,616,990 

11,0S3,561 

29.17 

20.  22 

3.01 

.  75 

.78 

.70 

9.65 

4.51 

31. 1.8 

13,643,231 

12,161,096 

1,116,492 

6S9, 554 

349, 062 

216, 6S8 

4, 128, 808 

1, 363, 064 

12, 759, 419 

11,615,430 

17,962,371 

1,099,547 

395,630 

311,915 

114, 270 

4, 148, 30S 

906, 761 

12,240,795 

23.81 

36.82 

2.25 

.81 

Monte  Blanco 

Huayna  Potosi 

Aramayo-Francke 

.63 
.23 
8.49 
1.86 

25.10 

Total 

36, 492, 135 

100.  00     35.  543.  549 

100.  00 

46, 427, 414 

100.00     48.  SOI.  027 

100.  00 

110        BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

As  this  table  shows,  the  combined  production  of  the  Patifio  and 
Llallagua  mines  in  1917  was  66.57  per  cent,  or  nearly  two-thirds,  that 
of  the  entire  country,  and  in  1918  the  proportion  was  60.63  per  cent. 
Pari  of  the  production  grouped  here  as  ''Others"  is  accounted  f<w  by. 
such  mines  as  Avicaya,  Aroca, Morocacala,  and  Bebins'  mines  in  the 
Cerro  at  Potosi;  the  remainder  is  derived  from  the  output  of  small 
miners,  many  of  them  Indians,  who  sell  their  ore  to  "habilitadores" 
or  grubstakers,  who  advance  them  money  for  their  operations. 

Exports  by  countries  of  destination  in  L918  were  as  follows: 


Countries. 

Kiln-. 

Bolivianos. 

27.30 

3,3"-     -■ 

9  8  292 

4ii  381  588 

291   L'i',0 

Total 

48,801,027 

129  611   1  10 

Great  Britain  took  56  per  cent  of  the  total  output  of  this  year,  as 
against  37  per  cent  for  the  United  States  and  7  per  cent  for  other 
countries,  including  France  and  Chile.  In  1915  Great  Britain  took 
aboul  96.9  per  cent  of  the  Bolivian  production  and  the  United  States 
only  3  per  cent.  Exports  to  these  two  countries  during  the  period 
L912    L918  were  as  follows: 


years. 

Great  Britain. 

United  States. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

1912      

36,618,841 
42,282,858 
35,957,  134 

1  ,\  L32 
32,569,  LSI 

157,050 
27,303,086 

57,125,569 

64,270 

40,991,006 

13,  190,505 

39,082,981 

57,990,001 

73,9 

8,286 

1913            

1914                 

20,782 
1,101,836 
2,884,370 
1  1,936,047 
18,189,419 

! 

1915                        

1,355,257 
3,461  244 

1916                              

1917. .                

26,751,785 

1918                     

81,588 

This  great  increase  in  shipments  of  tin  concentrates  to  the  United 
States  is  Largely  due  to  the  erection  of  the  two  smelter-  since  1 9 1 5,  as 
previous  to  that  time  (his  country  was  only  able  to  take  Bolivian  tin 
bars.  In  L919  the  British  charge  d'affaires  in  La  Paz  wrote  as  fol- 
lows: "Since  the  United  States  embargo  was  raised  on  June  8,  the 
Bolivian  output  has  practically  all  sought  a  market  in  America." 

In  L919  exports  of  tin  were  as  follows: 


Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

18.211,287 

...  1.  151 



Total 

48,499  183 

924,444 

The  Government  collected  in  exporl  taxes  on  tin  the  sum  of  5,951,- 
206  bolivianos,  or  89  per  cent  of  the  t  >tal  exporl  taxes  collected. 
'I'm  exports  represented  69  per  cent  of  the  total  value  of  the  national 


MIXING. 


Ill 


exports  for  the  year.     The  destination  of  the  "barrilla"  shipped  was 
as  follows : 


Countries. 


Great  Britain 
United  States 

Chile 

France 


26, 883, 279 

19, 852, 566 

1, 092, 3S2 

383, 060 


Value. 


Bolivianos. 


54, 789, 225 
41,519,062 
2,181,143 

782, 020 


Percent- 


55.  20 

41.83 

2.19 

.78 


About  90  per  cent  of  the  total  export  of  bars  was  shipped  to 
England. 

SILVER. 

Silver  long  constituted  the  basis  of  Bolivia's  mining  industry,  and 
remained  such  until  it  was  superseded  by  tin.  The  wide  adoption 
of  monometalism  among  the  leading  industrial  nations,  the  devel- 
opment of  other  silver  fields,  as  in  Australia  and  Colorado,  the  gen- 
eral fall  in  the  price  of  silver,  and  the  lack  of  capital  to  put  the  mines 
on  a  modern  basis  of  operation — these  were  the  principal  factors 
that  brought  about  the  decline  of  the  Bolivian  industry.  Scores  of 
mines  that  had  been  worked  since  colonial  times  were  abandoned  or 
began  to  be  worked  for  other  metals.  Even  to-day,  when  the  indus- 
try has  begun  to  revive  under  the  impulse  of  the  higher  prices,  silver, 
wherever  it  is  produced  (save  in  a  very  few  cases),  is  secondary  to 
some  other  metal  found  in  combination  with  it. 

The  silver  deposits  of  Bolivia  extend  from  the  southern  part  of  the 
Department  of  La  Paz  south  into  the  Sur  Chichas  country,  which  lies 
below  the  latitude  of  Uyuni.  Silver  is  found  well  to  the  east  of  the 
main  range  of  the  Cordillera  Real  in  the  Departments  of  Cochabamba 
and  Chuquisaca  and  to  the  west  across  the  table-land  in  the  Cordil- 
lera Occidental,  whose  ranges  reach  out  into  the  Province  of  Caran- 
gas.  Above  all  it  is  found  in  the  Department  of  Potosi,  whose  very 
name  is  as  closely  associated  with  the  history  of  silver  mining  as  are 
those  of  Guanajuato  and  San  Luis  Potosi  in  Mexico.  The  principal 
centers  of  the  industry  are  the  cities  of  Oruro  and  Potosi,  and  the 
mines  of  Huanchaca-Pulacayo  near  Uyuni.  Other  mining  centers 
are  Huanuni,  Chocaya,  and  Colquechaca,  long  abandoned  but  now 
reopened.  Among  the  abandoned  mining  districts  of  southern 
Bolivia  are  those  of  Andacaba,  San  Cristobal  de  Lipez,  and  Portu- 
galete,  now  the  property  of  the  Oploca  company. 

The  argentiferous  ores  of  Bolivia  generally  exist  in  the  form  of 
sulphides  or  as  high-grade  protochlorides,  and  usually  in  close  asso- 
ciation with  tin  oxides,  or  with  antimony  or  zinc.  Ores  which  hold 
a  very  high  silver  content  are  known  as  "rosicler."  In  the  treat- 
ment of  composite  ores  the  silver  is  commonly  recovered  by  a  process 
of  lixiviation  with  hyposulphite  or  brine,  after  the  ore  has  been 
submitted  to  a  chlorodizing  roast,  the  metal  being  precipitated  from 
the  solution  as  the  sulphide  or  silver  cement,  in  which  form  it  is 
shipped.  Higher-grade,  hand-sorted  ores  are  also  exported  without 
being  treated  befcre  shipment. 


112         BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

Exports  of  silver  during  the  period  1908-1918  were  as  follows,  the 
figures  given  referring  to  actual  silver  content  of  ores  and  not  to 
their  gross  weight : 


Years. 


1908 
1909 
1910 

inn 

1912. 

1913. 


Kilos. 


156, 482 
157,844 
142, 939 
r.'T. '.mo 
123,939 
81,289 


Bolivianos. 


8,  058,  092 
5,721,915 
5, 264, 441 
4,587,746 
1,308,329 
2,784,355 


Years. 


1911. 
1915. 
1916. 
1917. 
1918. 
1919. 


Kilos. 


72,336 

82,  159 
106,098 
110,  160 

100, 272 


Bo'.ivianos. 


2,531,329 
2,982,859 
1.  193,611 
5,693,639 

7.  t'.U,  121 
12,349,384 


Classified  exports  of  silver  in  1918  were  as  follows: 

Classes. 

Cmss 
weight. 

Silver 
content. 

12,637,341 

120,965 

156,902 

309 

4,897 

Kilos. 
12,315 

;•..  162 

11,784 

•■  pifla"  '                                                           

11 

Coin                                                

Total                                              

12,920,414 

100, 272 

1  Virgin  silver  treated  with  mercury. 

COPPER. 

Though  the  cupriferous  deposits  of  Bolivia  are  widely  distributed 
in  both  of  the  main  Andean  chains,  mining  is  largely  confined  to  thci 
Corocoro  district  in  the  Province  of  Pacajes  of  the  Department  of 
La  Paz.  The  deposits  in  this  region  are  a  continuation  of  those 
of  the  Chuquicamata  field  in  northern  Chile,  copper  being  found  in 
the  intervening  country  at  Cobrizos  and  in  the  Carangas  district  in 
the  remote  ranges  of  the  western  part  of  the  Department  of  Oruro. 
The  same  series  of  ore  beds  crop  out  again  in  the  rich  Cerro  de  Pasco 
and  Moracocha  fields  in  Peru.  Copper  also  occurs  at  intervals  in  a 
belt  which  extends  north  from  Corocoro  across  the  Provinces  of  Oma- 
suyos  and  Munecas  into  Caupolican.  It  is  also  found  in  several 
localities  in  the  neighborhood  of  Oruro  and  in  the  Porco  and  Chayanta 
sections  of  the  Department  of  Potosi,  where  it  is  a  prominent  by- 
product in  some  mining  operations.  Ores  of  high  copper  content  have 
been  found  in  the  Department  of  Chuquisaca  to  the  southeast  of 
Sucre,  but  these  deposits  are  located  too  far  from  the  railway  for 
their  exploitation  to  be  practicable.  The  importance  of  Corocoro 
is  due  not  only  to  its  superior  transportation  facilities,  afforded  by  the 
Tarejra  spur  of  the  Aries  Railway,  bul  to  the  presence  in  that  Locality 
of  large  amounts  of  pure  copper,  as  in  the  Lake  Superior  region  of 
the  I '  n  i  ted  States.  Native  copper  occurs  there  in  the  for  in  of  powder 
or  in    plates  or  nodules  in   vast    beds  of  reddish  sandstone.      Larger 

masses,  known  as  "charquis,"  are  also  frequently  encountered.  t 

Exports  of  copper  for  the  years  I'.IOS    L919  were  as  follows: 


1908 
1910 

I'M  I 
1912 

I'M  I 


Kilos 


2,877,605 
3,134,014 

1,707,188 


Bolivianos. 


I.  181,173 
1,651,787 
1,788,092 

3,389,  I7ii 


5  .   r 


I'M  I 8,1 

23,812  7"s 

29,011,124 


Kilos. 


L917 
1918 
1919 


37,  144,900 
26,000,381 

22.H70,  126 


Bolivianos. 


I.  i  U.  7:%-. 

8,854,524 
11,921,  1  18 
7,746  343 


MINING. 


113 


Exports  during  the  first  half  of  1919  amounted  to  9,200,369  kilos. 
In  1914  the  25  per  cent  export  duty  on  nonconcentrated  copper 
ores  was  withdrawn,  as  a  result  of  which  exports  in  1915  were 
almost  treble  those  in  1914.  The  opening  of  the  Arica-La  Paz 
Railway  also  had  its  effect  on  the  increased  production  at  Corocoro 
during  this  period. 

Copper  exports  in  191S,  according  to  classes,  were  as  follows: 


Classes. 


Unconcentrated  ores.. 

Concentrates 

Sulphide  concentrates 

Cements 

Copper  matte 

Bars 

Total 


Gross 

weight. 


Kilos. 

19,896,837 

3.935,295 

1,900,000 

134,882 

133,350 

17 


26,000,381 


Percent- 
age of 
copper. 


Value. 


Bolivianos. 

4,155,800 

2,955,327 

429,913 

104,682 

100,601 

20 


7,746,343 


Of  the  total  volume  of  exports  for  1918,  24,945,049  kilos  were  sent 
to  the  United  States,  883,998  kilos  to  Great  Britain,  and  171,334 
kilos  to  Chile. 

Production  by  Departments  during  the  period  from  1912  to  June 
30,  1919,  was  as  follows: 


Years. 


La  Paz. 


1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919  (6  months) 

Total.... 


Kilos. 

5,372,985 

4,476,142 

8,380,572 

23,278,572 

28,210,842 

36,194,765 

25,416,299 

8,960,795 


410,290,972 


Oruro. 


Potosi. 


Kilos. 
20, 470 
85,598 
85,975 
379,843 
239, 195 
687, 322 
157, 847 
96,543 


1,752,793 


Kilos. 
61,924 
498,632 
200, 891 
154,802 
461,087 
543, 199 
427,035 
143,031 


2,490,601 


Cocha- 
bamba. 


Total. 


Kilos. 


19,614 


Kilos. 

5,455,379 

5,060,372 

8,667,438 

23,812,798 

29,011,124 

37,444,900 

26,000,379 

9,200,369 


144,652,759 


LEAD. 


There  has  been  a  steady  increase  in  exports  of  lead  during  the  past 
few  years,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  table: 


Years. 


Kilos.        Bolivianos. 


Years. 


Kilos. 


Bolivianos 


190S 5,150 

1909 |  6,000 

1910 30,485 

1911 343,188 

1912 1, 074, 887 

1913 1,765,296 


1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 
191S 
1919 


1,554,570 
2,216,388 
2, 420, 950 
4, 129, 2S8 
4,606,851 
4, 759, 295 


155,457 

354, 535 

477, 156 

1,520,104 

1,S03,041 

1,815,840 


These  include  both  lead  ores  and  the  metal,  small  quantities  of 
the  pure  lead  being  exported.  The  Bolivian  industry  .cjm_be  main- 
tained in  competition  with  that  of  the  United  States,  Spain,  Germany, 
and  Australia  only  during  the  continuance  of  such  prices  as  prevailed 
during  the  period  1913-1918  (£21  to  £40  per  ton), 


44462°— 21- 


114        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AXD   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

Most  of  the  lead  exported  from  Bolivia  is  produced  in  the  Province 
of  Sur  Chichas  and  near  the  Argentine  border,  and  is  sent  out  through 
La  Quiaca.  The  production  of  lead  ores  by  districts  during  1918 
was  as  follows : 

Department  of  Potosi:  Kilos. 

Province  of  Sur  Chichas (bars-  ■    (     *Z'  SJ 

lores. .  4,  549,  000 

Department  of  La  Paz : 

Province  of  Ingavi do 25,  250 

Province  of  Murillo do 15, 182 

Total 4,  606,  851 

The  destination  of  the  exports  in  1918  was  as  follows: 


Countries. 


Kilos.       Bolivianos. 


Great  Britain 4, 339, 601 

Argentina 242, 000 

United  States 25, 250 

Total J  4, 606, 851 


1,702,611 
90,803 
9,627 


1,803,041 


ANTIMONY. 

The  mining  of  antimony  in  Bolivia,  which  in  ordinary  times  is  of 
little  consequence,  received  a  great  impulse  during  the  war,  but  after 
the  cessation  of  the  extraordinary  war  demand  the  industry  quickly 
returned  to  its  prewar  status.  The  course  of  antimony  exports  is 
illustrated  by  the  following  table  for  the  years,  from  1908  to  June, 
1919: 


Years. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Years.                        Kilos.         Bolivianos. 

1908 

919,  735 
511,440 
524, 878 
311,715 
91,3.50 
62,050 

105, 147 
51,634 
97,0S0 
68,419 
22,837 
12,410 

1914 i          186,077 

1915 1     17,923,048 

1916 !    27,413,715 

1917 1    23.3S1.392 

1918 !      6,836,068 

1919  (6  months) 76,800 

30,617 

1909 

1910 

13,442,286 
16,996,503 
17,017,907 

1911 

1912 

1913 

30, 720 

The  fluctuations  in  the  price  of  antimony  during  the  war  are 
illustrated  by  the  following  figures,  prices  being  given  in  cents  per 
pound : 


Vears. 

Lowest. 

Highest. 

Month. 

i  enl  . 

Month. 

1915 15.85 

1 1.  ::> 
1 1.  28 

11.53 

. 

1917.  . .                                      13.91 

April 

do 

12.58 

MINING. 


115 


Exports   according  to   countries  of  destination  in    1918  were  as 
follows : 


Countries 

Great  Britain 

United  States 

Chile 

Argentina 

Brazil 

Total 


Kilos. 


6,313,413 

357, 430 

152,892 

9,287 

3,046 


6,836,068 


Bolivianos. 


3,658,342 

382, 450 

101,665 

9,682 

3,185 


4,155,323 


Antimony  is  found  in  the  same  general  localities  in  which  tin 
ores  occur.  The  principal  producing  districts  during  the  war  boom 
were  the  Chuquitu  section  near  Uncia,  the  country  about  Porco, 
and  that  part  of  southern  Bolivia  which  finds  its  outlets  by  way  of 
Atocha  and  Uyuni  to  the  north  and  by  La  Quiaca  into  the  Argen- 
tine. Large  shipments  were  made  through  Challapata  on  the  rail- 
way between  Uyuni  and  Oruro.  Among  the  largest  shippers  of 
southern  Bolivia  were  Ricardo  Cruz,  of  Uyuni,  and  the  Aramayo- 
Francke  mines. 

The  most  common  ores  are  sulphides.  The  ores  are  usually 
abundant  and  rich,  with  wide  veins,  which  often  run  70  per  cent 
pure  metal.  Many  of  the  mines  operated  during  the  war  were  small, 
crudely  worked  properties  in  the  hands  of  Indians,  whose  operations 
were  financed  by  the  purchasers  of  the  ores. 

TUNGSTEN. 

The  remarkable  development  of  tungsten  or  wolfram  production 
between  1915  and  1918  was  also  the  result  of  the  unusual  demand 
for  it  which  was  created  by  the  war  for  use  in  connection  with  the 
manufacture  of  steel.  During  the  10-year  period  1909-1918  exports 
increased  as  follows: 


Years. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Years. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

1909 

152,600 
210,061 
297,272 
474,540 
282, 597 

97,692 
141,629 
231, 188 
519, 705 
415,418 

1914 

276,316 

792,511 

3,035,134 

3,890,534 

3,418,316 

428, 300 

1910. 

1915     . 

1,497  S46 

1911 

1916 

5,675,701 

1912 

1917 

10,810  292 

1913 

1918 

10,591,429 

Notf.— In  1919  exports  fell  to  1,994,  769  kilos. 

Exports  of  wolfram  concentrates  according  to  countries  of  desti- 
nation in  1917  and  1918  were  as  follows: 


1917 

1918 

Countries. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Percent- 
age. 

1,934,057 

1,398,325 

545,625 

10,344 

2,183 

6,392,927       2  539.213 

7,983,355 

1,627,612 

973, 424 

7,038 

75  38 

3,248,161 

1,136,148 

28,963 

4,093 

554,432 

321,096 

3,575 

15.36 

9.19 

Chile : . . . 

.07 

Peru 

Total 

3,890,534 

10,810,292 

3,418,316 

10,591,429 

116 


BOLIVIA:    A   COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 


The  areas  of  largest  production  during  the  period  of  the  war  boom 
were  the  three  Provinces  of  Sur  Yungas,  Inquisivi,  and  Murillo  in 
the  Department  of  La  Paz,  the  Province  of  Cercado  in  Oruro,  the 
Province  of  Ayopaya  in  Cochabamba,  and  Nor  Chichas  in  Potosi.  1  n 
L917  the  first  three  Provinces  produced,  respectively,  728.953, 
455,534,  and  640,476  kilos  of  "barnlla,"  and  the  Province  of  Cercado 
produced  1,501,849  kilos  in  the  same  year.  The  heaviest  producers 
in  the  Province  of  Sur  Yungas  were  the  El  Carmen,  La  Chojlla,  Maria 
de  la  Luz,  La  Andina,  and  Enramada  mines,  the  first  two  of  which 
were  properties  of  the  International  Mining  Co.  In  Inquisivi  the 
heaviest  producers  were  the  La  Aguada,  Chicote,Huanehaea.  Amutara, 
and  Paconi  properties,  and  in  Cercado  the  districts  of  San  Antonio, 
Pongo,  and  Condeauqui.  The  Pongo  district  produced  695,171  kilos 
in  1917,  which  constituted  the  record  for  the  country.  The  most 
important  interest  in  this  field  and  in  that  of  San  Antonio  was  that 
of  Rafael  Taborga,  whose  ores  obtained  a  prime  reputation  in  the 
United  States  for  their  high  grade.  Patino's  Kami  mines  were  the 
largest  producers  in  Cochabamba,  as  the  Aramayo-Francke  properties 
at  Sala  Sala  were  in  Nor  Chichas. 

BISMUTH. 

Exports  of  bismuth  during  the  period  1908-1917  were  as  follows: 


Years. 


Kilos. 


I'.IIIS 

1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 


160, 304 
256,762 
262,728 
555, 237 

477,748 


Bolivianos. 


352, 500 
1,465,315 
1,966,595 
2,218,051 
2,150,042 


Years. 


Kilos.      Bolivianos. 


1913 422,664 


1914. 

1915. 
1916. 
1917. 


549,669 
662,565 
668,  126 

531.717 


2,092,926 
2.S02.27S 
3,670.  '51 
3,1. ">4, 905 
1,116,678 


Classified  exports  of  bismuth  in  1918  were  as  follows: 

Form  in  which  exported. 

Kilos.      Bolivianos. 

Form  in  which  exported. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

248,982 
75, 569 
53,998 

3,144,372 
612,901 
230,745 

Unconcentrated  ores 

Total 

111,523 

41.".  221 

Concentrates  ("barri  11a").-. 

590,072 

4.403,327 

With  the  exception  of  1,210  kilos  of  bars  exported  to  France  and 
the  United  States,  the  entire  bismuth  production  of  19 IS  was  shipped 
to  Great  Britain.  Between  December,  1914,  and  July.  1919,  t he 
price  of  bismuth  on  the  London  market  rose  from  7s.  6tl.  ($1.82)  to 
12s.  6d.  (S3. 04)  per  pound.  Exports  in  1919  amounted  to  374,076 
kilos,  valued  at  490,072  bolivianos. 

The  production  of  this  mineral  has  been  almost  exclusively  in  the 
hands  of  the  Aramayo-Francke  Mines,  whose  bismuth-producing 
mines  are  located  in  the  Sur  Chichas  district  of  the  Department  of 
Potosi  at  Tasna  and  Chorolque.  This  British  company  lias  smelters 
at  Buen  Retiro  and  Quechisla  for  the  making  of  bismuth  bars. 
Their  product  is  exported  over  the  Atocha  branch  of  the  Bolivia 
Railway  and  thence  through  CJyuni  and  Antofagasta.  Bismuth  is 
also  mined  in  small  quantities  in  other  parts  of  the  Department  of 


MINING. 


117 


Potosi,  as  at  the  Real  Socavon  mine  in  the  Cerro  of  Potosi,  at  Col- 
quechaca,  in  the  Provinces  of  Porco  and  Charcas,  at  Esmoraca  in 
Sur  Chichas,  and  at  Patino's  Salvadora  mine  at  Uncia.  In  the 
Department  of  La  Paz  it  is  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Milluni  and 
Huayna  Potosi.  The  latest  development  in  the  industry  is  the  ex- 
ploitation of  bismuth  deposits  in  the  Uncia-Llallagua  district,  which 
is  the  center  of  the  Bolivian  tin  industry. 

Most  of  the  ores  worked  at  Tasna  and  Chorolque  are  sulphides, 
which  run  from  10  to  15  per  cent  bismuth.  Crystals  of  native  bismuth 
are  found  in  the  Huayna  Potosi  district.  The  mineral  is  used,  largely 
in  the  form  of  the  subnitrate,  in  the  manufacture  of  certain  medicines. 
It  is  also  used  as  a  component  of  certain  alloys  with  lead  and  tin. 

ZINC. 

Exports  of  zinc  for  the  years  1908-1918  were  as  folios: 


Years. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Years. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

190S 

1, 242 

302, 000 

342 
13, 162 
435,009 
372, 490 
329,995 
223, 150 

1914 

3,755,450 

104, 249 

482, 876 

427, 047 

4,186 

140,623 

1909  . 

1915 

18,560 

1910 

11,797,000 

9,798,125 

8,961,352 

7, 367, 463 

1 

1916 

236,609 

1911 

1917 

530, 780 

1912 

1918 

2,680 

1913 

The  Compaiiia  Huanchaca  de  Bolivia  was  formerly  the  largest 
producer  of  zinc,  but  during  recent  years  most  of  the  zinc  mined  has 
come  from  the  Sur  Chichas  country  near  the  Argentine  frontier  and 
is  exported  through  Villazon.  It  has  also  been  mined  in  the  Colquiri 
district  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz  and  at  Huanuni  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Oruro.  Exports  in  1917  were  distributed  among  the  follow- 
ing countries:  Great  Britain,  302,471  kilos;  Argentina,  60,510  kilos; 
France,  60,000  kilos;  and  the  United  States,  4,066  kilos. 

MOLYBDENUM. 

Molybdenum  exists  in  several  parts  of  Bolivia,  but  particularly 
in  the  Andean  region  about  Sorata,  which  lies  northeast  of  Lake 
Titicaca.  It  is  also  found  in  the  Chichas  country  to  the  south  of 
Uyuni  and  has  been  encountered  in  the  Department  of  Oruro.  How- 
ever, the  industry  has  reached  no  such  development  as  it  has  in  the 
deposits  of  the  Department  of  Junin  in  Peru,  which  produces  about 
80  per  cent  of  the  world's  supply.  Little  has  been  done  to  work  the 
Bolivian  deposits,  and  exports  have  been  small,  amounting  to  6,101 
kilos,  valued  at  19,157  bolivianos,  in  1915,  and  704  kilos,  of  a  value 
of  3,168  bolivianos,  in  1916.  All  of  this  was  produced  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  La  Paz,  and  all  of  it  was  exported  to  England.  No  exports 
are  officially  recorded  for  subsequent  years,  and  it  is  understood 
that  no  exploitation  has  taken  place  since  1916. 

It  is  generally  found  as  the  sulphide  and  scattered  through  deposits 
of  quartz,  which  makes  it  very  hard  to  work.  It  has  also  been  found 
in  connection  with  tungsten  ores.  The  industrial  application  of 
molybdenum  was  formerly  restricted  to  the  manufacture  of  molyb- 
denate  of  ammonia,   a  reagent  for  sulphuric  acid,   and  of  sodium 


118        BOLIVIA:    A   COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

molybdenate,  which  is  used  for  giving  a  blue  shade  in  ceramics,  and 
for  dyeing  silks  and  other  textiles.  It  is  now  used  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  smokeless  powder,  but  particularly  as  an  alloy  with  steel. 
It  has  been  found  to  harden  steel  without  affecting  its  malleability. 
Molybdenum  is  also  finding  increased  use  in  the  preparation  of  steel 
for  automobile  springs. 

GOLD. 

Though  gold  is  widely  found  in  Bolivian  streams,  its  production 
has  greatly  declined  during  the  past  few  decades,  and  the  gold 
mining  industry  is  at  present  almost  nonexistent.  Yet  large  quan- 
tities of  gold  were  produced  during  the  colonial  era;  and  even  dur- 
ing the  last  half  of  the  eighteenth  century,  when  the  decadence  was 
well  under  way,  more  than  $16,000,000  worth  of  gold  was  produced 
in  the  provinces  of  Larecaja  and  Caupolican  alone.  In  1904  the 
output  for  all  Bolivia  was  5,790  ounces,  of  which  3.500  ounces  was 
produced  by  the  Incaoro  and  Olla  de  Oro  companies.  According  to 
official  statistics  the  exports  of  gold,  exclusive  of  gold  coin,  during 
the  period  1908-1916  were  as  follows: 


Years. 

Kilos. 

Years. 

Kilos. 

Years. 

Kilos. 

1908 

35. 49 

4L>.  59 

1911....                

55.05 
78.30 

93. 55 

1914 

1915 

1916 

L80.07 

1909 

1912 

1.78.  38 

1910 

1913.    . 

1.  50 

There  are  no  records  of  exports  since  1916. 

The  Bolivian  gold  fields  extend  over  large  areas  of  the  country, 
though  the  mining  industry  is  largely  concentrated  in  one  district 
of  the  Province  of  Larecaja  in  the  department  of  La  Paz.  One 
field  extends  from  the  Province  of  Munecas  eastward  with  wide 
breaks  to  the  basin  of  the  Itenez  and  the  Brazilian  border.  In  its 
western  part  this  belt  includes  the  Provinces  of  Munecas,  Larecaja, 
Caupolican,  Nor  and  Sur  Yungas,  Inquisivi,  and  Loaiza,  all  of  which 
lie  among  the  high  Cordillera  Real  or  in  the  montana  region.  It 
reaches  across  the  Department  of  Cochabamba,  where  evidences  of 
gold  are  rare,  into  Santa  Cruz,  where  the  Chiquitos  highlands  and 
the  country  to  their  north  constitute  a  very  clearly  denned  auriferous 
zone.  This  belt  includes  the  lode  deposits  and  placers  of  Tipuani, 
Suehes,  Chuquiaguillo,  Aropaya,  Yani,  and  Cavari  in  the  western 
part,  and  San  Simon,  San  Javier,  and  the  washings  along  the  Itenez 
affluents  in  the  remote  eastern  region.  In  the  far  northwest  is 
another  field  of  little  explored  alluvial  deposits  about  the  upper 
reaches  of  the  Madre  de  Dios  and  its  tributaries  and  largely  com- 
prehended within  the  Territory  of  Colonias.  Another  held,  no 
longer  worked,  exists  'm  the  southern  part  of  the  Republic  and 
extends  ;is  fur  north  as  the  Chayanta  country  and  the  mountains  of 
Potosi.  It  includes  parts  of  the  Lipez  and  Chichas  Provinces, 
Mende/,  arid  Cinti  in  Chuquisaca.  and  reaches  down  into  Tarija  to 

the    southeast     and    into    Santa    Cruz    in    the    northeast.      This    bell 
includes  the  deposits  of  San  Juan  del  Or<>,  Ania  vapampa,  Suipaeha, 

ESsmoraca,  Siena  Gorda,  and  Chuquichuqui. 


MINING.  119. 

The  Incaoro  Co.'s  mines  at  Pallaya  and  the  Olla  de  Oro  Co.'s 
mines  east  of  La  Paz  are  the  only  lode  gold  mines  that  have  been 
operated  within  the  past  few  years,  and  these  mines  are  now  idle. 
In  the  placer  field  to  the  northeast  of  La  Paz  the  natives  still  wash 
gold  along  the  banks  of  several  auriferous  streams,  but,  as  their 
product  is  disposed  of  clandestinely,  no  official  estimate  of  production 
from  this  source  is  possible.  Operations  along  the  Tipuani  have 
largely  been  restricted  to  development  work  carried  on  by  the 
Bolivian  Gold  Exploration  Co.,  an  American  enterprise  that  controls 
the  principal  placer  deposits  of  the  lower  course  of  the  river — a 
region  of  considerable  productivity  in  earlier  times.  This  concern 
has  been  occupied  in  constructing  a  10-mile  ditch,  but  it  has  been 
hampered  by  an  adverse  climate,  scarcity  of  labor  supply,  and 
difficulties  of  transportation.  Nine  tunnels  have  been  built  in  con- 
nection with  this  work.  Water  from  the  Gritado  River  is  to  be  used 
to  furnish  power  for  the  operation  of  the  hydraulic  equipment 
installed  on  the  Colorado  Playa.  A  few  years  ago  the  Incahuara 
Gold  Dredging  Co.  failed  in  attempts  to  dredge  the  bed  of  the 
Tipuani  below  its  junction  with  the  Kaka.  The  dredge  which  was 
used  to  work  the  Chuquiaguillo  deposits  a  short  distance  out  of 
La  Paz,  and  which  led  to  the  finding  of  some  unusually  large  nuggets, 
has  been  abandoned. 

In  eastern  Bolivia  the  basin  of  the  Quisere  River  passes  through 
the  three  auriferous  regions  of  Concepcion,  San  Javier,  and  San 
Simon.  The  placer  beds  of  San  Javier  were  once  worked  by  the 
Jesuits,  as  were  also  the  deposits  of  the  San  Simon  district  in  the 
Itenez  country,  and  the  Chuquicamini  lode  deposits  of  Inquisivi  in 
the  Cordillera  Real.  The  San  Miguel  River,  which  has  a  quartz 
bed  and  skirts  some  low  mountains  where  gold  is  known  to  occur, 
possesses  alluvial  deposits  which  could  be  worked  with  dredges  for 
part  of  the  year.  However,  little  has  been  done  in  recent  years  to 
exploit  the  gold  resources  of  the  three  northeastern  Provinces  of 
Santa  Cruz  where  the  metal  is  found. 

OTHER  MINERALS. 

Nickel  has  been  found  in  several  districts  in  Bolivia,  usually  in 
combination  with  other  metals,  and,  sometimes  in  arsenical  combi- 
nations that  make  it  nearly  valueless.  However,  little  exploitation 
has  been  done,  and  this  only  in  the  region  between  Oruro  and 
Cochabamba.  In  1917,  6,146  kilos,  with  a  total  value  of  17,828 
bolivianos,  were  exported,  and  in  1918  exports  amounted  to  only 
399  kilos,  all  of  which  came  from  the  Sorpresa  district  in  the  Province 
of  Tapacari,  Department  of  Cochabamba.  In  the  decade  190*8-1917, 
5,121  kilos  of  cobalt,  with  a  value  of  4,385  bolivianos,  were  exported. 
Iron  and  mercury  are  found  in  the  Provinces  of  Cordillera  and 
Vallegrande  in  Santa  Cruz.  Iron  is  also  found  in  the  Itenez  basin 
and  in  other  parts  of  Bolivia,  but  has  not  been  developed  on  any 
commercial  scale.  In  the  four  years  between  1908  and  1913,  8,747 
kilos  of  mercury  were  exported. 

Among  nonmetallic  minerals  produced  in  Bolivia  are  salt,  lime, 
kaolin,  asbestos,  sulphur,  borax,  coal,  lignite,  and  petroleum. 
"Salares"  or  salt  beds  cover  large  areas  in  the  Coipasa  district  to 
the  west  of  the  main  line  of  the  railway  between  Uyuni  and  Oruro 


120        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    .VXD   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

and  extend  well  down  toward  Uyuni.  The  crude  salt  is  carried 
from  the  vicinity  of  Garcimendoza,  about  163  kilometers  (101  miles) 
from  Oruro,  and  widely  distributed  over  the  country.  Salt  is  also 
found  to  the  north  of  Potosi  and  about  Ayoma,  west  of  Colquechaca. 
In  1018  3,650  kilos  were  exported  to  Argentina  from  the  Province  of 
O'Connor  in  the  Department  of  Tarija.  Salt  beds  in  the  northern 
Chaco,  lying  well  to  the  south  of  San  Jose  de  Chiquitos,  are  also 
worked. 

Asbestos  of  a  good  quality  exists  among  the  mountains  north  of 
Cochabamba,  and  a  high  grade  of  kaolin  or  porcelain  clay  is  found 
in   1  he  JIuanuni  distriH  . 

Beds  of  sulphur  and  borax  have  been  found  in  the  Caranga  and 
Nor  Lipez  regions  bordering  the  Chilean  frontier. 

Coal  and  lignite  have  been  found  in  various  parts  of  the  plateau. 
Coal  is  known  to  exist  in  the  Copacabana  Peninsula,  which  juts  out 
into  Lake  Titicaca,  where  the  deposits  are  controlled  by  an  Italian 
concessionaire.  Tests  have  shown  that  this  coal  possesses  good 
burning  qualities,  in  spite  of  impurities  that  exist  in  connection 
with  it.  Coal  has  also  been  found  near  the  line  of  the  Arica-La  Paz 
Railway  and  large  deposits  of  good  coal  are  reported  to  have  been 
discovered  across  the  mountains  from  Sorata.  A  good  grade  of 
lignite  is  found  in  the  Cordillera  Oriental  about  Colomi  near  Cocha- 
bamba.  Extensive  peat  beds  on  the  outskirts  of  La  Paz  are  being 
worked  by  local  interests,  though  as  yet  on  a  small  scale.  These 
beds  cover  an  area  of  about  2,500  acres,'  with  a  depth  of  peat  varying 
from  16  to  24  feet.  It  is  estimated  that  these  fields  contain  about 
150,000,000  cubic  meters  of  peat,  which  would  yield  30,000,000  tons 
of  dried  peat  briquets.  This  peat  is  said  to  have  a  fuel  value  equal 
to  one-half  that  of  coal  and  a  little  greater  than  that  of  firewood. 

MINING  DISTRICTS  AND  PRINCIPAL  INTERESTS. 
ABACA. 

This  mining  district  is  located  at  the  north  end  of  the  Cordillera 
de  Las  Ties  Cruces,  a  range  separated  from  the  massif  of  Illimani  to 
the  north  by  the  valley  of  the  La  Paz  River.  The  mines  are  at  an 
altitude  of  15,000  feet  and  higher.     The  product  mined  is  tin. 

Sociedad  Empresade  Estafio  de  Araca. — The  company  that  exploits 
these  mines  is  Chilean,  with  home  offices  in  Santiago,  though  the  local 
German  firm  of  Boettiger & Trepp  is  also  heavily  interested.  It  was 
established  in  1917.  The  company  is  making  preparations  to  install 
a  large  amount  of  new  German  equipment  The  net  earnings  of  the 
company  for-1919  amounted  to  841,813  bolivianos.  A  35  per  cent 
dividend  was  paid  for  the  year,  and  another  dividend  of  15  per  cent 
was  paid  for  the  first  two  months  of  L920.  The  total  output  of  the 
mines  lor  Mil!)  was  379,026  quintals,  with  an  average  tin  content  of 
4.85  per  cent  and  some  ores  assaying  at  10.  I  per  cent.  After  treat- 
ment the  ore  produced  22,831  quintals  of  62.38  per  cent  and  i;:;  per 
cent  Barrilla  or  concentrate;  (.»,'.)7  l  quintals  of  "guia''  or  high-grade 
ore  running  61  percent  tin  were  also  produced.    The  average  cost  of 

prodmi  ion  per  quintal  for  t  lie  year  was  36.43  bolivianos. 


MINING. 


121 


ARAMA.YO-FBANCKE. 

Aramayo-Franclce  Mines  (Ltd.).— The  mines  controlled  by  this 
company  are  located  in  the  Chichas  region,  tributary  to  the  Atocha 
branch  of  the  Bolivia  Railway.  The  most  important  properties  are 
Chorolque,  Tasna,  and  Chocaya.  The  mountain  of  Chorolque  is 
situated  about  25  miles  northeast  of  Atocha,  with  which  it  is  con- 
nected by  a  mountain  trail.  It  is  a  pyramid  of  quartz  trachyte  or 
andesite  rising  nearly  3,000  feet  above  the  surrounding  plateau  to  a 
height  of  20,000  feet  Mining  operations  in  this  locality  are  centered 
about  two  groups  of  mines,  the  older  Chorolque  group,  which  has  a 
mill  at  16,000  feet  and  workings  to  18,000  feet,  and  a  second  group 
on  the  other  side  of  the  mountain.  Tasna  lies  farther  to  the  north 
and  about  the  same  distance  from  the  railway.  Chocaya  lies  to  the 
west  of  the  railway  and  a  few  miles  northwest  of  Atocha.  The  com- 
pany has  concentrating  and  smelting  plants  at  Quechisla,  Buen 
Retiro  and  Cotani,  and  a  reduction  plant  for  silver  ores  is  being 
erected  at  Atocha.  Other  properties  of  the  company  are  Asllani, 
Santa  Barbara,  and  Sala  Sala,  all  of  which  are  in  the  vicinity  of 
Chorolque.  The  Aramayo-Francke  company  has  had  a  virtual 
monopoly  of  bismuth  production  in  Bolivia,  most  of  its  bismuth  out- 
put being  derived  from  Chorolque  and  Tasna.  These  mines  also 
produce  tin,  copper,  and  wolfram,  and  during  the  war  were  large 
producers  of  antimony.  The  principal  product  of  the  Chocaya  mines 
is  silver,  with  some  tin. 

During  1919  the  output  of  the  company's  mines,  exclusive  of  bis- 
muth, was  as  follows: 

Black  tin tons. .       2,  236 

Silver  (mostly  in  precipitated  sulphides  of  approximately  60 
per  cent  silver,  and  the  rest  ore  of  approximately  6  per  cent 

silver) troy  ounces. .   700,000 

Copper  (cement,  averaging  about  57  per  cent  copper) tons. .  100 

Wolfram do. . . .  78 

Copper  matte  is  also  shipped  intermittently. 
Exports  of  bismuth  during  1918  were  as  follows: 


Kinds. 

Tasna. 

Que- 
chisla. 

Kilos. 

220, 205 
12,600 
21,909 

Kilos. 
26,566 

18,663 

32, 0S9 

8,220 

The  output  of  this  company  for  the  years  ended  June  30,  1914  to 
1917,  exclusive  of  bismuth,  was  as  follows: 


Years. 


1913-14 
1914-15 
191.5-16 
1916-17 


Black 
tin. 


Tons. 
3,442 
2,060 
2,095 
2,059 


Copper 
matte. 


Tons. 

342 

111 

19 

118 


Silver 
ores  and 
sulphides. 


Troy 
ounces. 


110, 000 
523,284 


Wolfram. 


Tons. 


148 

227 


122        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

The  Aramayo-Francke  company  is  an  English  firm,  with  head- 
quarters  in  London.  The  interests  originally  represented  a  part- 
nership between  the  Bolivian,  Don  Avelino  Aramayo,  and  his  metal- 
lurgist, Francke.  The  present  company  was  organized  in  England 
in  1906.  The  first  properties  cost  £494,090  ($2,404,489)  in  fully 
paid  shares,  the  rights  to  Chorolque  being  acquired  in  190S  for 
£139,999  ($681,305).  The  present  capitalization  is  £600,000  (82,- 
919,900).  The  following  dividends  were  paid  during  the  years 
ended  dune  30,  1911  to  1917:  1910-11,  12*  per  cent;  1911-12,  15 
per  cent;  1912-13,  17$  per  cent;  1913-14,  19  per  cent;  1914-15,  l\ 
per  cent;  1915-16,  10  per  cent;  1916-17,  30  per  cent. 

The  general  manager  in  Bolivia  has  headquarters  at  Quechisla. 
There  are  agencies  at  Uyuni,  Atocha,  and  Tupiza.  Most  of  the 
company's  equipment  is  of  English  manufacture. 

BKRENGUELA. 

The  Berenguela  tin-mining  district  is  located  in  the  canton  of 
Colcha  in  the  Department  of  Cochabamba  and  near  the  railway 
which  connects  that  city  with  Oruro.  Low-grade  ore  exists  here  in 
large  bodies.     The  company's  mill  was  recently  remodeled. 

The  Berengu<l<i  Tin  Mines  {Ltd.)  is  an  English  corporation  and 
was  organized  in  London  in  1905.  The  authorized  capital  is  £20,000 
($97,330),  of  which  only  £6,938  ($33,764)  has  been  issued.  A 
dividend  of  20  per  cent  was  paid  in  1917,  and  15  per  cent  was  paid  in 
1919.  The  production  of  tin  concentrates  for  the  years  ended  June 
30,  1915  to  1918,  was  as  follows:  1914-15,  193  tons;  191".  16,  324 
tons;  1916-17,  348  tons;  1917-18,  244  tons.  The  production  at 
present  is  about  30  tons  of  "barrilla"  a  month. 

CARACOLES. 

G a <i(/enheim Mining  Co. — In  1920  the  Guggenheim  mining  interests 
acquired  a  group  of  tin  mines  in  the  Province  of  Inquisivi,  in  the 
Department  of  La  Paz,  and  are  now  making  elaborate  preparations 
for  their  development.  The  six  mines  acquired  are  known  as  Pacuni. 
Huanchaca,  Caracoles,  Bengala,  Salvadora,  and  Bonaparte.  The 
first  three  of  these  mines  form  a  single  group  within  a  short  radius  of 
each  other,  while  the  last  three  are  located  several  miles  away  and 
constitute  another  clearly  defined  group.  All  of  these  mini's  are 
located  in  the  high  Andes,  the  Caracoles  mine  being  at  a  height  of 
over  18,000  feet  above  sea  level.  Titles  have  been  secured  to  about 
5,800  hectares  (hectare  2.17  acres),  and  petitions  have  been  filed 
for  a  In  >i  it  3,000  tin  ire  heel  ares  of  mining  properties  in  the  same  region. 
The  Caracoles  mine  was  bought   from  a  group  of  interests  consisting 

of  I  >r.  Art  uro  ( In/man  (a  Chilean) ,  David  Bricker,  and  George  Pringle. 
The  Pacuni  and  Huanchaca  mines  were  acquired  from  B.  N.  Dillon 
and  the  others  from  ftasley  and   Insley,  of  La   P;\/.. 

All  of  these  are  till  mines,  the  ore  running  from  3  to  25  percent. 
A-  is  usually  the  casein  Bolivia,  the  ores  are  complicated  by  the 
presence  of  other  minerals,  especially   silver  and  wolfram. 

The  company  is  now  constructing  an  automobile  road  from  the 
Eucalyptus  station  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  line,  between  Oruro  and 
La  Paz,  to  the  mines.  The  total  Length  of  t his  road  is  about  66  miles. 
It  promises  t<>  be  one  of  the  besl  mountain  roads  in  Bolivia  and  will 


MINING.  123 

represent  an  expenditure  of  about  1,000,000  bolivianos.  Water  and 
power  rights  have  been  secured  to  about  six  streams  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  mines,  and  a  power  plant  is  to  be  erected  on  the  most  advan- 
tageous site.  It  has  not  yet  been  decided  whether  the  company  will 
ship  out  its  product  as  "barrilla"  or  install  a  smelting  plant  at  the 
mines.  The  questionable  practicability  of  electric  smelters  is  one  of 
the  principal  factors  in  the  decision. 

The  Bolivian  offices  of  the  Guggenheim  interests  are  at  La  Paz. 

COLQUECHACA. 

The  Colquechaca  mining  district  is  situated  in  the  Province  of 
Chayanta  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Department  of  Potosi.  The 
town  of  Colquechaca  lies  at  an  elevation  of  about  14,000  feet,  and  the 
surrounding  hills  rise  about  4,000  feet  higher.  The  principal  outlet 
fpr  this  region  is  over  the  cart  road  that  terminates  at  Challapata 
on  the  railway  between  Oruro  and  Uyuni. 

This  region  formerly  contained  some  very  important  silver  mines, 
but  has  lately  been  of  little  consequence.  The  "  socavon  "  or  shaft  of 
San  Bartolome,  which  was  opened  in  1700,  produced  more  than  $10,- 
000,000  worth  of  silver  in  26  years  of  the  last  century.  However, 
the  most  productive  mines  were  flooded  about  40  years  ago. 

Simon  Patino  has  lately  taken  over  one  of  the  old  producers  and 
is  installing  a  hydroelectric  plant  for  the  purpose  of  draining  the  old 
workings,  after  which  development  work  on  a  large  scale  will  be 
undertaken. 

Between  1900  and  1912  the  output  of  such  mines  as  were  in  opera- 
tion was  as  follows:  1900,  411  tons;  1901,  274  tons;  1902,  253  tons; 
1903,  158  tons;  1904,  97.8  tons;  1905,  87  tons;  1906,  108  tons;  1907, 
146.3  tons;  1908,  154  tons;  1909,  154  tons;  1910,  142  tons;  1911,  127.5 
tons;  1912,  121.7  tons.  Most  of  the  ores  consist  of  silver  sulphides, 
with  antimony  in  combination. 

The  Compania  Gallofa  Consolidada  de  Colquechaca  is  a  new  company 
with  home  offices  in  Sucre,  where  most  of  the  capital  stock  of  1,275,000 
bolivianos  is  held.  This  company  has  recently  installed  a  new 
reduction  plant  on  its  property.  In  1918,  6,600  quintals  of  tin  con- 
centrates, running  from  48.5  to  60.5  per  cent  tin,  and  1,310  quintals 
of  silver  ore,  with  a  metal  content  of  8,901  marcos,  were  produced. 
Net  profits  in  1917  amounted  to  82,148  bolivianos  and  in  1918  to 
10,826  bolivianos. 

COLQUIRI. 

The  Colquiri  tin-mining  district  is  located  in  the  high  Cordillera 
Real  of  the  Province  of  Inquisivi  and  to  the  south  of  the  Caracoles 
district. 

The  Compania  Minera  de  Colquiri  is  a  Chilean  company,  which  was 
originally  organized  in  1907  and  reorganized  in  1913.  It  is  capital- 
ized at  £150,000  ($729,975),  and  its  claims  cover  about  250  acres  of 
land.  This  company  has  had  many  difficulties  in  management  and 
has  not  progressed  in  recent  years. 

The  Compania  Fortuna  de  Colquiri  is  another  company  that  oper- 
ates in  the  same  district.  The  total  exports  of  tin  "barrilla"  from 
the  Colquiri  mines  in  1918  was  105,145  kilos,  with  a  total  value  of 
288,935  bolivianos. 


124        BOLIVIA;   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

COROCORO. 

This,  the  most  important  copper-mining  field  in  Bolivia,  is  located 
in  the  Province  of  Pacajes,  Department  of  La  Paz,  and  near  the 
line  of  the  Arica-La  Paz  Railway,  from  which  a  spur  is  run  to  the 
mines.  The  predominant  rocks  in  the  Corocoro  field  are  reddish  sand- 
stones. The  ore  bodies  consist  of  layers  of  sandstone  through  which 
arc  disseminated  small  particles  of  copper.  Large  sheets  of  native 
copper  arc  occasionally  encountered.  Most  of  the  ores  contain  from 
3  to  4  per  cent  of  copper,  though  in  parts  they  run  much  higher. 

Two  companies  are  engaged  in  operations  in  this  field — the  Com- 
panfa  Corocoro  de  Bolivia,  a  Chilean  concern,  and  the  Corocoro  United 
Copper  Mines  (Ltd.),  an  Anglo-French  company. 

Uompafiia  Corocoro  <l<  Bolivia. — The  Chilean  company  was  origi- 
nally incorporated  in  1873  and  has  a  capital  of  1,025,000  bolivianos. 
The  home  office  of  the  company  is  in  Santiago.  The  general  man- 
ager of  the  mines  at  Corocoro  is  a  Chilean,  who  is  one  of  the  foremost 
authorities  on  Bolivian  geology. 

Most  of  the  ores  worked  contain  from  2\  to  4  per  cent  copper,  the 
richer  native  copper  deposits  having  been  largely  worked  out.  The 
new  flotation  mill  installed  in  1920  for  the  treatment  of  the  ores  has 
a  capacity  of  800  tons  of  ore  per  day.  With  a  daily  production  of 
between  200  and  300  tons  of  ore,  the  output  was  from  10  to  12  tons 
of  copper  per  day.  Power  is  furnished  by  3  English  Diesel  engines 
with  a  total  horsepower  of  650,  but  the  rest  of  the  equipment  is 
largely  of  American  manufacture. 

Corocoro  United  Copper  Mines  {Ltd.). — The  Anglo-French  com- 
pany was  organized  in  1909,  and  is  capitalized  at  £700,000 
($3,406,550),  of  which  £673,607  ($3,278,108)  has  been  issued.  The 
company  took  over  the  properties  of  J.  K.  Child  (Ltd.),  the  Sucesion 
Noel  Berthin,  the  Compania  Sud-Americana  de  Cobre  de  Corocoro 
and  Carretas  Hermanos.  The  combined  properties  aggregate  about 
515  hectares.  The  main  office  of  the  company  is  at  7  Rue  des  It  al- 
iens, Paris,  and  there  is  also  an  office  in  London.  The  representa- 
tive of  J.  Lionel  Barber  &  Co.  at  Arica  has  charge  of  the  local  interests 
of  t  he  company. 

From  200  to  400  tons  of  ore  are  produced  daily.  The  better  ores 
are  hand  picked  for  native  copper,  and  some  of  the  high-grade  ores 
are  sent  down  to  Arica  for  treatment  at  the  company's  smelter.  The 
remainder  is  sent  to  the  flotation  mill  for  treatment.  The  ore  is 
first  ground  by  a  jaw  crusher  and  then  reduced  to  powder  in  a  hall 
mill.  In  the  Chilean  mill  the  ore  is  then  mixed  with  tar  and  in  the 
Anglo-French  mill  with  oil,  after  which  the  solution  is  passed  over 
the  jig  table  to  further  the  process  of  concentration.  The  "  bar- 
rilla"  produced  by  this  treatment  has  a  copper  content  of  50  percent 
and  upward.  In  this  form  it  is  shipped  in  hags  to  Arica.  The 
monthly  production  of  metal  is  usually  over   100  tons. 

The  profits  for  the  company  for  the  year  ended  -lime  30,  L918, 
were  6168,128  ($818,195),  from  which*  a  dividend  of  £155,448 
($756,488)  was  paid.  The  profits  for  the  lasl  half  of  L918  were 
£41,547  ($202,188).  Nearly  all  the  machinery  of  this  company  is  of 
American  manufacture,  and  the  mill  superintendent  is  of  American 
nationality . 


MINING. 


125 


The  comparative  production  of  "barrilla"  by  the  two  companies 
during  the  years  1912-1918  was  as  follows: 


Years. 


1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

Total 


Corocoro  United  Cop- 
per Mines  (Ltd.). 


Kilos. 


3, 225, 909 
2, 247, 400 
4, 442, 177 
11, 754, 531 
14, 045,  798 
19, 245, 119 
19, 628,  299 


74, 589, 233 


Per- 
centage. 


59.13 
44.42 
51.26 
49.41 
48.42 
51.39 
75.47 


Cia.  Corocoro  de 
Bolivia. 


2, 127, 
1,711, 
3, 686, 
11,310, 
13,348, 
15, 332, 
5,700, 


53, 217, 576 


Per- 
centage. 


39.00 
33.82 
42.53 
47,49 
46.01 
40.96 
21.91 


Other  producers. 


Kilos. 


102, 248 
1, 101, 008 

538, 364 

738,  074 
1,617,026 
2, 867,  581 

671,282 


7,635,583 


Per- 


1.87 
21.76 
6.21 
3.10 
5.57 
7.65 
2.62 


HUANCHACA. 


Compania  Huanchacade  Bolivia. — The  mining  district  of  Huanchaca- 
Pulacayo  lies  in  the  Province  of  Porco,  Department  of  Potosi,  about 
19  miles  from  the  town  of  Uyuni.  The  mines  are  situated  in  a  group 
of  hills  that  are  the  extreme  southern  outposts  of  the  Cordillera  de 
los  Frailes.  The  mines  comprise  some  of  the  oldest  and  most  famous 
in  the  country.  The  deposits  were  worked  by  the  natives  before  the 
coming  of  the  Spaniards,  and  were  later  exploited  on  a  large  scale 
by  the  Spaniards  themselves.  After  a  period  of  suspension,  work  was 
resumed  in  the  seventies  of  the  last  century  by  a  French  company, 
which  was  organized  in  1873  and  for  a  time  was  controlled  by  Jacques 
Lebaudy.  After  the  death  of  Lebaudy  the  mines  were  disposed  of 
to  their  present  Chilean  owners.  American  interests  have  recently 
opened  negotiations  with  a  view  to  the  purchase  of  the  mines  and 
their  restoration  to  their  former  productivity. 

These  mines  were  for  a  long  time  exceedingly  productive.  Between 
1873  and  1901  they  produced  4,250  tons  of  silver,  and  their  exports 
of  silver  and  lead  between  1873  and  1888  had  a  total  value  of  more 
than  $50,000,000.  For  some  time  a  regular  dividend  of  £400,000 
($1,946,600)  was  paid  annually.  The  last  dividend  was  paid  in  1908, 
when  a  4  per  cent  dividend  was  paid  on  the  125-franc  shares,  into 
which  the  capital  of  12,800,000  bolivianos  is  divided. 

Serious  obstacles  have  been  encountered  by  the  Chilean  company 
in  its  efforts  to  operate  the  mines.  In  1917,  with  a  production  of 
40,413  tons  of  ores,  there  was  a  deficit  of  £13,173  ($64,106),  due  to 
increased  costs  of  materials,  the  poorer  quality  of  the  ores  mined,  and 
unfavorable  exchange  conditions.  For  many  years,  also,  the  low 
price  of  silver  operated  against  the  company.  However,  the  most 
serious  difficulty  which  the  present  owners  have  had  to  face  has  been 
the  results  of  the  flooding  of  the  lower  levels  of  the  mine,  which  took 
place  in  1895.  Until  this  problem  is  met  successfully  there  is  little 
possibility  that  the  mines  can  be  made  to  pay,  in  spite  of  the  skill 
and  energy  of  the  engineers  in  charge.  An  entirely  disproportionate 
share  of  the  proceeds  of  the  company  must  be  devoted  to  the  work 
of  draining  the  mine. 

At  present  there  are  about  80  kilometers  of  galleries  in  the  mountain 
at  Pulacayo.     The  maximum   depth  reached   is  536  meters  (1,759 


126        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

feel  I,  this  being  the  greatest  depth  attained  in  any  mine  in  Bolivia. 
However,  there  are  now  more  than  90. meters  (295  feet)  of  water, 
with  a  temperature  of  70°  C,  in  the  mine,  so  that  the  lower — and 
richer — Levels  can  not  be  worked.  Two  powerful  Ehrhardt  pumps 
work  continuously,  raising  120  liters  (32  gallons)  of  water  per  second 
to  a  height  of  360  meters  (95  feet).  These  are  aided  by  several 
smaller  pumps  of  60  to  90  horsepower,  yet  during  1919  all  these 
pumps,  which  used  1,200  of  the  2,000  horsepower  generated  at 
Pumatara  (80  kilometers — 50  miles — distant),  were  not  able  to  gain 
on  the  water  pouring  into  the  lower  level  of  the  mine,  but  were  only 
able  to  keep  it  from  encroaching  on  the  unflooded  levels.  At  that 
time  the  company  planned  to  acquire  two  more  pumps  of  500  horse- 
power. Proposals  have  been  made  for  tunneling  through  the 
mountain  to  the  plain  of  Uyuni  for  the  purpose  of  draining  the  mine, 
but  it  has  been  calculated  that  this  project  would  necessitate  the 
construction  of  a  tunnel  several  miles  long  and  would  cost  about 
11,000.000  bolivianos.  As  the  lowest  levels  of  the  mine  are  beneath 
the  level  of  the  plain  of  Uyuni,  the  water  would  still  have  to  be 
raised  a  certain  distance  by  means  of  pumps  in  order  to  enable  it  to 
drain  out  onto  the  plain. 

The  greater  part  of  the  older  equipment  of  the  company  is  of 
French  make,  though  some  of  the  shop  equipment  has  been  supplied 
by  various  British  manufacturers.  The  company  operates  its  own 
railway  line  to  Uyuni,  at  which  point  connections  are  made  with  the 
Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway.  From  400  to  800  laborers  are 
cm  ployed  at  the  Pulacayo  mines  and  in  the  reduction  plant  at 
Huanehaea,  which  lies  on  the  other  side  of  the  mountain.  A  tunnel 
through  the  mountain  connects  the  two  places. 

Though  silver  is  the  most  important  product  of  the  mines,  lead, 
zinc,  copper,  tin,  antimony,  and  gold  are  found  in  the  complex  ores 
mined,  and  some  of  these  metals  are  extracted  for  export.  The 
production  of  ores,  which  run  from  5  per  cent  upward  of  silver,  is 
normally  between  1,500  and  2,000  metric  tons  per  month.  Most  of 
the  ore  is  sold  to  American  interests.  Enormous  dumps  below  the 
mouth  of  the  mine  at  Pulacayo  contain  about  22  ounces  <\(  silver 
to  the  ton. 

The  home  offices  of  the  Huanehaea  company  are  at  Valparaiso. 
Until  recently  Arturo  Allessandri,  now  president  of  Chili1,  was 
president  of  the  company.  The  general  manager  resides  at  Pulacayo. 
An  American  acts  as  the  company's  agent  at  Antofagasta. 

The  following  statements  from  the  company's  report  will  show  the 
result  of  operations  during  1919: 

Accumulated    losses   from   former   years  amounted    to    €133,610 

1650,214),  while  the  profit  for  1919  was  £48,562  ($236,325),  leaving 

an   unfavorable  balance  of  £85,019   ($413,880).     To  wipe  out    the 

unfavorable    balance,    the    council    withdrew    from    the    reserve    fund 

£45,049(8219,229)  and  from  the  development  fund  E  10,000  ($194,- 

660).     The  statemenl  of  the  company  then  stood  as  follows: 

'  apiial  paid  up £  1,(100,000  ($7,  786,  W0 

Reserve  fund L9,  535  (95,  065 

Development  fund 24,583        (119 

Total 1,644,118     US,  001,  KXn 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  11.— MINES  OF  PULACAYO. 


FIG.  12.— CONCENTRATING   MILL  FOR  TIN  ORES  AT   HUANUNI. 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  13.— THE  CERRO  OF  POTOSI. 


FIG.   H.— COPPER   MINES  OF  COROCORO. 


MINING.  127 

The  report  declared  the  results  of  operations  during  1919  "poor," 
in  spite  of  the  high  price  of  silver.  This  was  due  largely  to  the  fall 
of  the  franc  in  relation  to  the  pound  sterling,  causing  a  loss  of  £83,137 
($404,586).  It  was  expected  that  the  new  contract  made  with  the 
American  Smelting  &  Refining  Co.  would  prevent  the  recurrence  of 
such  loss. 

The  total  production  of  ores  during  1919  was  41,575  metric  tons, 
of  which  there  was  exported  17,359  metric  tons,  with  an  approxi- 
mate value  of  £256,721  ($1,249,321).  Reduction  operations  yielded 
products  valued  at  £299,912  ($1,459,522).  The  surplus  remaining 
from  1918  was  £7,757  ($37,747),  and  the  profit  from  stores  was 
£1,628  ($7,924),  making  the  total  receipts  £309,297  ($1,505,193). 

Expenses  for  the  year  were  as  follows : 

Development  work £19,  580  ($95,  285) 

Operating  expenses 58,  201  (283,  236 "i 

Drainage 32,  561  (158,  460) 

Preparation  and  selection  of  metals 9,  919     (48,  272) 

General  expenses 37,  518  (182,  579) 

Freights 44,  560  (216,  853) 

Costs  of  concentration 20,  596  (100,  229) 

Costs  of  lixiviation. 34,  699  (168,  864) 

General  expenses  of  mine 5,119     (24,913)  • 

Costs  of  "ElAsiento" 724      (3.522) 

Pyrites  unsold  in  Antofagasta 2,  098     (10,  210) 

Blendes  unsold  in  Antofagasta 6,  919     (33,  672) 

Expenses  for  shipments  of  metals 2,  550     (12,  412) 

Loss  in  exchange 1, 188       (5,  784) 

Employees'  aid,  etc 1,  245       (6,  049 ) 

Total 277,  477  ( 1,  350,  340) 

HUANUNI. 

The  balance  for  the  year  was  £31,S20  ($154,853). 

The  Huanuni  mining  district  is  situated  southeast  of  the  city  of 
Oruro  and  on  the  railway  line  that  Simon  Patino  is  building  from 
Machacamarca  to  Uncia. 

The  Empresa  Minera  de  Huanuni  is  one  of  the  properties  of  Simon 
Patino,  who  also  owns  the  rich  Uncia  mines.  Sr.  Patino  acquired 
the  mines  in  1911  from  the  Cia.  Minera  El  Balcon  and  the  firm  of 
Penny  &  Duncan,  which  had  long  worked  the  same  vein.  The  total 
price  paid  was  about  $2,000,000.  The  main  workings  are  located 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Cerro  of  Pozoconi,  a  mountain  that  rises  to 
an  elevation  of  14,638  feet.  Placers  have  been  worked  in  the  valley 
below,  and  mining  has  been  carried  on  through  a  number  of  tunnels 
in  the  hill.  The  deposits  of  higher-grade  tin  oxides  have  been 
largely  worked  out,  and  sulphides  are  now  being  taken  out.  The 
properties  include  226  hectares  in  the  Pozoconi  hill  and  108  at  Gual- 
lacunca.  The  ore  is  carried  down  to  the  concentrating  plant  by 
means  of  seven  cableways.  One  of  the  most  modern  mills  in  Bolivia 
was  recently  installed  to  treat  the  ores.  This  plant  has  a  daily 
capacity  of  350  tons  of  ore,  the  ore  running  from  1^  to  3  per  cent  tin. 
The  output  of  tin  is  about  250  tons  a  month  of  high-grade  barrilla. 
Power  is  furnished  by  Diesel  engines. 

The  Compania  Porvenir  de  Huanuni  is  a  Chilean  company,  with 
offices  in  Valparaiso.  A  representative  is  also  maintained  in  Oruro. 
Deposits  of  complex  ores  are  worked,  containing  chiefly  silver,  but 


128         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

also  holding  lead,  zinc,  and  tin.  The  company  is  capitalized  at 
£175,000  (8851,638).  Profits  from  operations  in  1919  amounted  to 
£58,470  ($284,543).  No  dividend  was  declared,  but  £40,969 
($199,376)  was  set  aside  for  future  dividends.  The  statement  of 
the  company's  resources  was  as  follows:  Capital,  £175,000  ($851  <>38) ; 
reserve  fund.  £15,000  ($72,998):  working  fund.  £10,000  ($48,665); 
fund    for   future    dividends,    £57,118    ($277,964);     total    resources, 

£257,118  ($1,251,265).     The  stock  of  ore  in  sight  at  tl ad  of  1919 

was  estimated  at  27,855  tons,  with  an  estimated  silver  content  of 
1,911,500  troy  ounces.  During  1919,  8,129  metric  tons  of  ore  were 
produced.  Of  this  quantity  1,880  tons  were  exported,  with  a  metal 
content  of  462,000  ounces  silver,  or  an  average  of  77  "marcos"  to 
the  ton.  The  remaining  6,250  tons  was  sent  to  the  ore  dumps  for 
later  treatment.  The  latter  was  expected  to  produce  ahout  445.000 
ounces  of  silver.  The  company  also  plans  to  work  the  ores  for  lead 
and  zinc,  and  to  extract  tin  from  the  residues,  which  contain  about 
2  per  cent  tin. 

LLALLAGUA. 

Compaflia  Estafiifera  de  Llallagua. — The  Llallagua  tin  mines,  the 
richest  in  the  worm,  are  located  in  the  Province  of  Bustillo,  Depart- 
ment of  Potosi.  However,  they  are  much  nearer  the  city  of  Oruro 
than  that  of  Potosi.  They  are  situated  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
mountain  in  which  the  Uncia  deposits  lie.  A  plan  of  the  Llallagua- 
Ineia  field,  drawn  up  by  Government  engineers,  is  included  in  the 
mineralogical  atlas  published  by  the  Ministry  of  Justice  and  In- 
dustry in  1912  as  an  appendix  to  the  minister's  annual  report  or 
"memoria." 

The  Llallagua  company  is  a  Chilean  corporation,  which  was  organ- 
ized in  1906.  The  home  offices  are  at  Santiago.  The  coin  pain  is 
capitalized  at  £425,000  ($2,068,263)  in  £1  shares.  Duncan.  Fox  & 
Co.  act  as  agents  of  the  company  at  Arica  and  Antofagasta.  Only 
persons  with  the  fullest  confidence  of  the  company  are  allowed  to 
visit  the  underground  workings  at  Llallagua.  On  April  29,  1920, 
147,800  of  the  425,000  shares  were  registered  as  belonging  to  Duncan. 
Fox  &  Co.  and  41,043  shares  to  the  English  Banco  Anglo-Sud- Ameri- 
cano. However,  it  is  understood  that  Simon  Patino  has  obtained 
a  very  large  interest  in  the  Llallagua.  though  the  shares  are  not 
registered  in  his  name. 

There  has  been  a  large  amount  of  speculation  in  "Uallaguas"  on 
the  Santiago  and  Valparaiso  exchanges.  The  highest  price  paid  in 
1918  was  292.  During  1919  the  stocks  rose  from  155  to  189£,  but 
with  many  up-and-down  fluctuations.  Early  in  1920  they  reached 
520,  but  on  July  8  were  quoted  at  225  in  Valparaiso.  After  the 
revolution  in  Bolivia  on  July  12  there  was  a  further  rapid  decline  in 
quotations  of  Chilean  stocks,  including  "Llallaguas." 

The  company  has  a  concentration  mill  at  Catavi,  and  a  subsidiary 
owns  the  smelter  at  Arica,  which  has  not,  however,  realized  the 
expectations  of  its  builders.  Most  of  the  barrilla  produced  is  shipped 
to  the  United  States  for  smelting.  A  new  hydroelectric  plant  was 
recently  installed.  Most  of  the  very  modern  equipment  at  Llallagua 
is  American.  Though  the  monthly  output  is  from  1,400  to  2,000 
tons  of  barrilla  per  month,  the  mill  is  being  prepared  to  handle  600 
metric  tons  of  barrilla  per  day. 


MINING. 


129 


The  tremendous  productivity  of  Llallagua  is  illustrated  by  the 
following  table  covering  the  production  of  "barrilla"  during  the 
period  1911-1919: 

[Spanish  quintal= 101.41  pounds;  Chilean  gold  peso=$0.365;  pound  sterling=$4.8665.] 


1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 
1918 
1919 


Annual 
produc- 
tion. 


Spanish 
quintals. 
83,082 
80,768 
114,938 
117,  558 
119,957 
165, 534 
249,589 
394, 275 
335, 270 


Average 

monthly 

production 


Spanish 
quintals. 
6,923.50 
6, 730. 50 
9,577.50 
9,  796. 50 
9,996.41 
13,794.50 
20, 799. 08 
32, 856. 25 
27, 939. 16 


Cost  of 
produc- 
tion per 
Spanish 
quintal. 


Chilean 
qold  pesos, 
22.95 
24.2,3 
33.96 
24.31 
25.92 
21.42 
19.01 
20.65 
24.39 


Profit  per 
Spanish 
quintal. 


Chilean 
qold  pesos, 
31.55 
39.59 
19.26 
17.37 
29.28 
37.54 
75.17 
58.70 
91.43 


Average 

price  of 

tin. 


£191 
208 
201 
152 
161 
182 
237 
330 
257 


Annual 
profit. 


£196,598 

239, 855 

166,  056 

153, 169 

263,  404 

466, 123 

1,407,048 

1, 735, 823 

2, 299, 070 


Dividends 
paid. 


£191,250 

85,000 

127,  500 

63,  750 

127, 500 

340,000 

637, 500 

2, 018, 750 

425, 000 


The  rate  of  dividends  for  the  years  1916-1919  was  as  follows:  1916, 
45  per  cent;  1917,  100  per  cent.  The  dividend  for  1918  amounted  to 
475  per  cent  and  for  1919  to  100  per  cent.  A  35  per  cent  dividend 
was  paid  for  the  first  two  months  of  1920.  The  total  dividends  paid 
from  1906  to  the  end  of  1919  amounted  to  £4,791,875  ($23,319,660), 
or  more  than  1,100  per  cent  on  the  capital  stock. 

The  production  of  ore  and  " barrilla"  in  1918  and  1919  was  as 
follows : 


Years. 


1918. 
1919. 


Ore. 


Metric 
tons. 


99, 407. 8 
91,333.9 


Percent- 
age of 
tin. 


17.09 
14.71 


Barrilla. 


Spanish 
quintals. 


394,275 
335, 270 


Percent- 
age of 
tin. 


69.94 
68.52 


The  higher  cost  of  production  of  ore  for  1919 — 3.41  bolivianos  per 
quintal,  as  against  2.38  bolivianos  for  1918— was  due  to  the  shutting 
down  of  the  mine  during  the  prohibition  of  importation  into  the 
United  States.  The  cost  of  production  of  "  barrilla  "  placed  in  storage 
at  the  Catavi  plant,  including  cost  of  sacking,  was  34.79  bolivianos 
per  metric  quintal,  or  16  bolivianos  per  Spanish  quintal,  in  1919,  as 
against  11.48  bolivianos  per  Spanish  quintal  in  1918. 

On  December  31,  1919,  the  ore  reserves  in  sight  were  estimated 
at  406,073  metric  tons,  with  an  average  tin  content  of  10.53  per  cent, 
or  a  total  content  of  42,785  metric  tons  of  tin.  At  the  rate  of  1,400 
tons  of  68  per  cent  "barrilla"  per  month,  these  reserves  would 
furnish  material  for  operations  for  three  and  one-half  years.  How- 
ever, new  deposits  are  anticipated  in  the  meantime. 

44462°— 21 9 


130      bolivta:  a  commercial  and  industrial  handbook. 

The  complete  statement  of  the  company's  financial  resources  at 
the  end  of  1919  was  as  follows: 

Capital £425,  000  |  $2,  00s.  203) 

Reserve  fund 100, 000  (486, 650) 

Fund  for  future  dmdends 1,  218,  643  (5,  930,  524) 

Fund  tor  new  works 480,000  (2,335,920) 

Development  fund 200,  000  (973,  300) 

Emergency  fund 70,  000  (340,  655) 

Fund  for  eventualities 50,  000  (243,  325) 

Total 2,  543,  643  (12,  377,  637) 

An  oil  flotation  plant  has  lately  been  installed  by  an  American 
metallurgist  for  the  purpose  of  separating  bismuth  from  tin  ores, 
with  a  view  to  the  production  of  the  former  metal. 

MONTE  BLANCO. 

Empresa  Minera  Monte  Blanco. — These  mines  me  located  at  a 
height  of  over  16,000  feet  in  the  Quimsa  Cruz  region  of  the  Province 
of  tnquisivi,  Department  of  La  Paz.  The  claims  of  the  Chilean 
company  which  owns  them  cover  213  hectares.  This  companv. 
whose  home  offices  are  in  Santiago,  was  founded  in  1906  and  is 
capitalized  at  £280,000  ($1,362,620).  There  are  large  deposits  of 
low-grade  ores  running  from  1£  to  2  per  cent  tin.  In  1918  exports 
from  the  Monte  Blanco  mines  amounted  to  267,830  kilos  of  barrilla, 
with  a  total  value  of  755,361  bolivianos.  Nearly  all  of  this  was 
shipped  to  Great  Britain. 

MOROCACALA. 

Penny  <&  Duncan. — The  Morocacala  tin-mining  district  lies  about 
25  kilometers  southeast  of  Oruro,  in  the  Province  of  Cercado.  The 
mines  are  owned  by  the  old  British  firm  of  Penny  &  Duncan.  During 
1918  this  mine  shipped  out  by  Arica  1,285  tons  of  barrilla,  running 
about  65  per  cent,  and  in  1919  exported  1,759  tons.  They  are  at 
present  producing  about  250  tons  a  month.  The  ores  are  concen- 
trated at  Machacamarca.  Though  much  of  the  equipment  of  the 
mine  is  old,  important  improvements  are  in  process  of  installation. 
A  new  shaft  is  being  sunk,  and  Diesel  engines  have  been  put  in, 
effecting  a  saving  of  20,000  bolivianos  a  month  in  cost  of  operation. 
The  Diesel  engines  operate  General  Electric  generators,  from  which 
the  power  is  distributed  through  the  mine.  With  the  exception  of 
the  electric  motors,  the  equipment  is  largely  of  British  manufacture. 

OPLOCA. 

Companm  Minera  y  Ayricola  Op/ocn  dt  Bolivia.  The  properties 
of  t  his  Chilean  company  are  situated  in  the  Chichas  region  in  southern 
Bolivia  and  are  tributary  to  the  railway  from  Qyuni  to  Atocha. 
This  company  was  originally  formed  in  1858,  but  was  not  registered 
m  Bolivia  until  1907.  The  company  was  first  capitalized  at  11  10,000 
$681,310),  which  was  increased  by  £60,000  in  1017  ($201,990),  foi 
the  purpose  of  developing  its  Tatasi  and  Portugalete  properties. 
In  L920  authorization  was  granted  for  the  increase  of  its  capital  to 
E  loo. ooo  ($1,946,600).  The  home  offices  of  the  company  are  in 
Santiago,  and  there  is  a  "junta  consultativa, "  or  advisory  board  of 
directors,  in  Sucre,  wherannosl  of  the  stock  of  the  old  Guadalupe 

Company,  which  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  Oploca.  was  held. 


MINING. 


131 


The  company  owns  nearly  25,000  square  miles  of  land.  This  vast 
property,  which  cuts  athwart  the  road  between  Atocha  and  Tupiza 
into  the  Argentine,  is  an  ancient  "condado,"  the  former  estate  of 
Diego  de  Arce  y  Chacon,  Conde  de  Oploca,  and  later  of  his  successors, 
the  family  of  Yanez  de  Montenegro.  Though  much  of  the  land  is 
of  little  actual  or  potential  value,  the  company  has  an  ambitious 
scheme  for  the  development  of  such  of  it  as  is  capable  of  cultivation 
or  of  use  for  grazing  purposes.  American  interests  tried  to  buy  the 
holdings  a  few  years  ago,  and  it  was  considered  a  "  magnificent 
bargain"  for  the  Chilean  interests  that  secured  them. 

The  mining  holdings  are  distinct  from  the  bulk  of  the  agricultural 
property,  and  consist  of  the  properties  at  Chocaya  la  Vieja,  Tatasi 
and  Portugalete,  and  Choroma.  The  Chocaya  mines  adjoin  those 
of  the  Araniayo-Francke  company  in  the  same  field.  The  product 
at  Chocaya  is  tin  with  some  silver.  The  mine  here  has  large  ore 
reserves  in  a  long,  continuous  ore  shoot,  and  extensive  developments 
are  under  way  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  production.  A  new 
shaft,  known  as  the  Socavon  Oploca,  is  being  sunk,  and  a  new  con- 
centration mill  is  to  be  built.  A  lixiviation  plant  for  silver  ores  is 
already  in  operation.  At  Tatasi  and  Portugalete,  which  were  for- 
merly large  producers  of  silver,  development  and  exploration  work 
is  going  on  in  anticipation  of  the  commencement  of  active  operations. 
The  company  declares  its  investigations  to  be  entirely  satisfactory 
to  the  future  productivity  of  this  district.     At  Choroma,  which 


as 


lies  near  Tupiza,  reconnaissance  work  is  also  in  progress,  and  a  mill 
is  being  installed. 

The  production  of  tin  "barrilla"  and  "guia"  (high-grade  ore)  by 
the  Chocaya  mine  during  the  period  between  July,  1909,  and  June, 
1919,  was  as  follows: 


Years. 


1909-10 
1910-11 
1911-12 
1912-13 
1913-14 


Barrilla. 


Spanish 
quintals. 
5,  586 
10,540 
18, 977 
25, 258 
28,652 


Guia. 


Spanish 
quintals. 


1,400 
7,700 
7,351 


Years. 


1914-15 
1915-16 
1916-17 
1917-18 
1918-19 


Barrilla. 


Spanish 
quintals. 
35,556 
44,440 
40,040 
43,560 
50,600 


Guia. 


Spanish 
quintals. 
4.S51 
7,240 
4,840 
1,320 
1,320 


The  "barrilla"  produced  in  1918-19  had  a  tin  content  of  59.4 
per  cent,  and  the  "guia"  averaged  57  per  cent  tin. 

Profits  for  the  year  1918-19  amounted  to  £77,451  ($376,915). 
For  the  year  ended  June  30,  1915,  they  were  £38,475  ($187,239), 
and  for  the  year  1915-16,  £57,629  ($280,452).  The  following 
dividendswere  declared  for  years  ended  June30:  1915-16,45  per  cent; 
1916-17,  45  per  cent;  1917-18,  60  per  cent;  1918-19,  45  per  cent. 

The  maximum  quotation  for  "Oplocas"  on  the  Valparaiso  ex- 
change in  1918  was  105.  In  January,  1920,  they  were  quoted  as 
high  as  206,  but  by  July  8  had  fallen  to  143. 


OKURO. 


An  important  mining  district  is  located  in  the  range  of  hills  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  city  of  Oruro.  These  hills  rise  about  1,200  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  table-land  and  were  worked  for  silver  from 


132        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

very  early  in  the  Spanish  regime.     The  production  of  tin  has  partly 
compensated  for  the  falling  output  of  silver,  as  at  Potosi.. 

The  concern  which  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  Compania  Minora 
de  Oruro  was  established  in  1879  to  work  the  old  Socavon  de  la 
Virgen  mine.  During  the  eighties  the  old  Itos-Atocha  and  Colorada 
mines  were  acquired.  The  company  was  reorganized  in  1912. 
It  is  a  Chilean  company,  with  home  offices  in  Santiago,  and  is  capi- 
talized at  4,000,000  bolivianos. 

The  ores  exploited  in  the  cerro  at  Oruro  are  pyrite  veins  holding 
silver  and  tin.  The  ore  runs  about  1.3  per  cent  tin  and  15.20  marcos 
of  silver  to  the  ton.  The  tin  ores  from  the  company's  mines  are 
sent  to  Machacamarca  for  treatment  at  its  concentration  plant. 
The  higher-grade  silver  ores  are  sent  to  Tacoma,  Wash.,  and 
the  low-grade  ores  are  sent  to  Chile  for  reduction.  The  company 
has  a  contract  with  the  American  Smelting  &  Refining  Co.  to  take 
its  tin  barrilla.  Quantities  of  copper  cements  are  also  sent  to  Tacoma 
for  treatment.  Most  of  the  equipment  used  is  American  and  German. 
At  Oruro  three  Diesel  engines  of,  respectively,  360,  200,  and  130 
horsepower  are  used.  In  1919,  386  tons  of  crude  oil  were  consumed, 
at  a  total  cost  of  119,574  bolivianos,  two  gas  engines  are  used  at 
Machacamarca.  During  1919,  639  tons  of  anthracite  were  burned, 
at  an  expense  of  134,341  bolivianos.  Additional  equipment  of 
American  manufacture  has  lately  been  installed  at  Machacamarca. 
The  mines  are  unsteady  producers,  and  doubts  have  been  expressed 
as  to  whether  the  quantity  of  ore  remaining  is  sufficient  to  justify 
the  renovation  of  the  company's  equipment. 

The  ore  reserves  at  the  end  of  1919  were  estimated  at  96,980  tons, 
with  a  silver  content  of  33,420  kilos  and  a  tin  content  of  1,960  tons. 
The  comparative  production  of  silver  and  tin  in  1918  and  1919  was 
as  follows:  Silver  sulphides— 1918,  16,979  kilos  fine;  1919,  14,192 
kilos.  Tin— 1918,  1,110  tons,  59.41  per  cent  tin;  1919,  1,020  tons, 
58.95  per  cent  tin.  Copper  cements  shipped  in  1918  held  30.6  tons 
of  copper,  and  in  1919,  19  tons.  The  net  profit  of  the  company  in 
1919  was  585,768  bolivianos.  The  accumulated  dividend  fund  on 
January  1,  1919,  was  1,730,359  bolivianos.  The  total  funds  at  the 
disposal  of  the  company — 1,984,708  bolivianos — were  distributed  as 
follows : 

Bolivianos. 

Transferred  to  reserve  fund 5,  909 

Fund  lor  increment  and  eventualities 1,  952 

Dividends: 

Sept.  4,  1919 323,  077 

Mar.  9,  L920 356,250 

Retained  in  dividend  fund 1,  297,  520 

Total 1 .  984,  708 

According  to  the  annual  statement  for  1919  the  resources  of  the 
company  at  the  end  of  that  year  were  as  follows: 

Boli\  ianos. 

Capital t,  ooo.  ooo 

Reserve  fund 300, 000 

Fund  for  Lncremenl  and  eventualities I,  510, 000 

Fund  Eor  future  <li\  idende 1, 297,  520 

Total 7,107,520 


MINING.  133 

A  dividend  of  10  per  cent  was  paid  in  1916,  and  dividends  of  20 
per  cent  were  paid  in  the  three  following  years.  Quotations  on  the 
Valparaiso  exchange  in  1919  fluctuated  between  17  and  48. 

The  Compania  San  Jose  de  Oruro  has  mining  interests  in  the  same 
hill  as  those  of  the  Oruro  company,  and  the  ores  produced  are  of  the 
same  general  character.  It  is  also  a  Chilean  company,  and  is  capi- 
talized at  £400,000.  The  tin  ores  of  this  company  are  sent  to  its 
concentration  plant  at  Alantana,  near  Poopo,  on  the  line  to  Uyuni. 
Most  of  its  equipment  is  antiquated  and  was  obtained  from  several 
different  countries.  For  several  years  this  company  has  been  under 
the  control  of  R.  Valenzuela,  a  Chilean,  who  does  a  general  importing 
and  exporting  business  at  Arica  and  Oruro.  In  1920  the  company 
was  reported  to  be  changing  from  corporate  to  private  ownership 
and  was  at  that  time  in  process  of  liquidation. 

Chilean  interests  control  the  Compania  Estanifera  de  Vinto,  also 
known  as  the  Empresa  Minera  Vinto.  Its  home  office  is  in  Valparaiso, 
and  it  is  capitalized  at  £100,000  ($486,650).  Old  tailings  from  the 
Spanish  workings  in  the  Oruro  hills  are  being  retreated. 

The  mine  of  the  Empresa  Minera  Santo  Cristo  is  located  in  the 
Cerro  de  San  Cristobal,  near  Oruro.  The  ore  runs  about  6  per  cent 
tin  and  18  mareos  of  silver  to  the  ton.  The  owners  were  attempting 
to  float  a  new  company  in  Chile  in  1920. 

The  Central  Metalurgico  de  Oruro,  a  reduction  company,  operates 
a  mill  in  Oruro,  where  it  treats  low-grade  washed  tin  from  the  pampa 
near  the  city.  It  controls  no  mines  of  its  own,  but  buys  this  low- 
grade  ore  from  others.  A  new  company  was  being  organized  in 
Chile  during  1920  to  take  over  this  property. 


The  Pazna  tin-mining  district  is  located  in  the  Department  of 
Oruro,  a  short  distance  from  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway's 
Pazna  station.  The  ore  deposits  are  situated  in  the  Cerro  de  Challa 
Grande,  which  is  part  of  the  Serrania,  or  range,  of  Achacollo. 
Grouped  around  the  slopes  of  this  cerro  are  the  mines  of  Avicaya, 
Totoral,  and  Antequera. 

The  Empresa  Minera  de  Avicaya  is  owned  by  Dante  Abelli  and  son. 
The  equipment  of  the  mine  is  modern.  The  ores  carry  about  5  per 
cent  tin,  and  after  concentration  in  the  company's  mill  are  shipped 
as  60  per  cent  "barrilla."  Though  the  production  of  this  mine 
fluctuates  greatly ,  its  normal  production  is  about  700  tons  of  "barrilla" 
per  year. 

The  Sociedad  Estanifera  Totoral  Consolidada  is  a  Chilean  concern, 
with  home  offices  in  Santiago.  It  is  capitalized  at  2,350,000  Chilean 
pesos.  The  ore  deposits  consist  of  a  vertical  vein  in  the  Cerro  de 
Challa  Grande.  Most  of  the  ore  in  this  vein  has  been  washed  down 
through  the  erosion  of  the  mountain.  The  deposits  resulting  from 
the  process  of  erosion  have  been  worked  by  the  Compania  Estanifera 
de  Antequera,  another  Chilean  company,  control  of  which  was 
recently  acquired  by  the  Totoral  company.  The  Antequera  com- 
pany was  capitalized  at  £150,000  ($729,975),  but  its  properties  were 
bought  by  the  Totoral  interests  for  £35,000  ($170,328).  In  1919 
the  Totoral  company  had  a  profit  of  497,008  Chilean  pesos,  and  its 
total  accumulated  resources  now  amount  to  3,506,278  pesos.     During 


134        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

the  first  three  months  of  1920  the  company's  mill. at  Palcamayu, 
which  serves  the  mine  known  as  La  Reina  de  Negro  Pabellon,  pro- 
duced 1,625  Spanish  quintals  of  62  per  cent  barrilla. 

The  Compaftia  Estaflifera  El  Acre  (Empresa  El  Acre)  is  a  relatively 
small  concern,  which  works  placer  tin  deposits  near  Totoral.  The 
deposits  worked  contain  about  5  per  cent  of  tin,  and  the  monthly 
production  is  about  300  quintals  of  GO  per  cent   barrilla. 

PORCO. 

The  Porco  mining  district  lies  near  the  railway  between  Rio  Mulato 
and  Potosi  and  a  short  distance  from  the  Agua  Castilla  stat  ion,  where 
the  company's  mill  is  located.  The  chief  mineralized  area  is  a 
mountain  mass  culminating  in  Abo  Porco,  which  rises  to  a  height  of 
17,000  feet.  Ore  deposits  are  also  worked  in  another  spur  known 
as  Huayna  Porco.  This  was  formerly  a  silver-mining  district  of 
importance,  but  the  richer  ores  became  exhausted  and  the  mines 
were  abandoned  for  a  long  time.  The  deposits  are  now  being  worked 
exclusively  for  tin. 

The  Porco  Tin  Mines  (Ltd.)  is  an  English  concern,  which  was 
incorporated  in  London  in  1912.  The  property  was  formerly  owned 
by  Bolivian  interests.  The  company  has  an  outstanding  capital- 
ization of  £120,075  ($584,345),  in  addition  to  £19,900  (S90.S43)  in 
6  per  cent  convertible  debentures.  It  is  closely  affiliated  with  the 
Aramayo-Francke  interests,  Avelino  Aramayo  &  Co.  being  its  general 
agents  in  England,  and  Malcolm  Roberts,  general  manager  of  the 
Aramayo-Francke  mines  in  Bolivia,  is  chief  consulting  engineer. 

The  ore  reserves  in  1918  were  estimated  at  315,000  tons,  with  a 
tin  content  of  1.67  per  cent.  From  Agua  Castilla  319,159  kilos  of 
"barrilla  "  were  shipped  in  1918,  to  a  total  value  of  787,469  bolivianos. 
The  company  showed  a  profit  of  £777  (S3, 781)  in  1918,  .-is  against  a 
loss  of  £272  (SI, 324)  for  the  previous  year. 

POTOSI. 

The  mining  industry  of  the  Potosi  district  centers  about  the 
famous  peak  known  in  history  as  the  ''Cerro  Rico  de  Potosi.''  though 
there  are  less  important  mines  at  other  points  outside  the  immediate 
radius  of  the  city  of  Potosi.  The  Cerro  de  Potosi  is  a  cone-shaped 
mountain  which  rises  about  2,500  feet  above  the  level  of  the  city  or 
to  a  total  height  of  16,098  feet  above  the  sea.  The  Spaniards  began 
to  work  its  rich  deposits  of  silver  ore  in  about  1545,  and  during  the 
colonial  regime  the  enormous  quantities  of  silver  taken  out  oi  the 
Cerro,  variously  estimated  at  $1,000,000,000  to  $2,000,000,000, 
formed  the  principal  basis  of  the  mineral  industry  of  the  old  vice- 
royalty  of  Peru.  However,  not  only  did  the  Spaniards  ignore  the 
tin  and  other  metals  existing  in  the  (Yrro,  but  the  inadequate 
methods  used  in  mining  and  smelting  prevented  them  from  securing 

the   full   benefits  of  their  labors,  so   that    the  dumps  left    from    their 

workings  still  contain  a  very  appreciable  quantity  of  metal.     During 

the  p;ist  \Cw  decades  there  has  been  a  marked  revival  of  mining  m 
the  Cerro,  the  present  operators  being  comparative  newcomers. 

In    addition    to    the    more    important     mining    interests    engaged, 

numerous  small  operators  work  one  or  two  galleries  with  the  aid  of  a 
few  Indians  and  sell  then-  ore  to  the  larger  miners  or  to  the  regular 


MINING.  135 

buyers  of  ores.  In  1919  there  were  742  "bocaminas"  or  mine 
entrances  in  the  Cerro.  The  mountain  is,  in  fact,  honeycombed  with 
galleries,  which  are  connected  throughout  its  interior.  Conflicting 
claims  have  given  rise  to  a  great  mass  of  litigation,  not  only  because 
of  disputes  over  original  ground  claims,  but  also  because  of  the 
survival  of  a  peculiar  old  Spanish  law,  now  only  applicable  to  the 
Cerro,  whereby  any  miner  must  cease  working  on  encountering  the 
gallery  of  another  miner,  or  must  divert  his  own  gallery  in  another 
direction  in  the  hope  of  striking  another  vein  of  ore.  Except  in  a 
few  cases  mining  methods  are  still  generally  antiquated,  being  for 
the  most  part  in  the  pick-and-shovel  stage,  with  little  use  of  power 
drills  or  mechanical  equipment  of  any  kind.  The  laborers  are 
Indians  or  cholos,  few  of  whom  can  be  called  expert  miners.  The 
ore  is  carried  down  the  mountain  to  the  concentrating  plants  on  the 
backs  of  burros,  though  an  "andarivel"  or  cableway  is  used  in  one 
instance.  Consolidation  of  the  mining  properties  in  the  Cerro  is 
essential  to  their  fullest  working.  During  1920  powerful  American 
interests  made  a  thorough  survey  of  the  Cerro  with  a  view  to  such  a 
consolidation. 

The  mining  of  tin  in  the  Cerro  began  about  25  years  ago  and  has 
now  superseded  silver  in  importance.  In  1918  the  total  exports  of 
tin  barrilla  from  the  Province  of  Frias,  most  of  which  was  derived 
from  the  Cerro,  amounted  to  4,479,913  kilos,  with  a  value  of  10,921,368 
bolivianos.  Exports  of  silver  for  the  same  year  were  as  follows: 
Ores,  85,269  kilos,  valued  at  57,667  bolivianos;  sulphides,  19,789 
kilos,  valued  at  315,622  bolivianos.  Quantities  of  "rosicler"  or 
native  silver  are  still  encountered.  Some  of  the  protochloride  ores 
run  as  high  as  75  per  cent  silver  and  the  sulphides  from  59  to  64  per 
cent. 

The  most  important  interests  in  the  Cerro  are  those  of  Luis  Soux, 
of  French  birth,  who  operates  several  mines  and  owns  a  smelter,  in 
which  he  makes  bars  containing  about  95  per  cent  tin.  He  also 
sends  out  large  quantities  of  tin  barrilla  and  silver  ore.  About  1,000 
people  are  employed  in  all  his  workings.  He  uses  hydroelectric 
power  in  his  mines  and  mills,  including  his  Velarde  concentrating 
works.  He  has  installed  an  Ingersoll-Rand  air  compressor  at  his 
mines. 

The  second  most  important  interest  in  the  district  belongs  to  the 
Bebin  brothers,  also  of  French  origin.  These  men  have  recently 
installed  a  new  concentration  plant,  where  the  tin  ores  from  their 
mines  in  the  Cerro  are  prepared  for  shipment  as  barrilla.  The 
equipment  of  this  plant,  which  is  one  of  the  most  modern  in  Bolivia, 
is  of  American  manufacture.  A  Diesel  engine  is  used  for  power. 
About  5  tons  of  barrilla,  which  runs  from  55  to  60  per  cent  tin,  are 
turned  out  per  day.  Probably  400  employees  are  on  the  pay  rolls 
of  the  Bebins. 

The  Royal  Silver  Mines  of  Potosi,  Bolivia  (Ltd.)  is  an  English  con- 
cern, which  is  capitalized ' at  £300,000  ($1,459,950).  It  is  known 
sometimes  as  the  Anglo-Bolivian  Mining  Syndicate  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Aramayo-Francke  mining  interests.  This  company  works, 
among  other  mines,  the  old  "Real  Socavon,"  which  dates  from 
early  colonial  times. 

Among  mining  interests  of  secondary  importance  are  those  of 
Benavides,  Cabrimonte,  and  Medinaceli. 


136        BOLIVIA:   A  COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

Some  placer  tin  mining  has  been  carried  on  near  Potosi.  A  British 
concern,  known  as  the  Bolivian  Tin  Mining  Co.,  which  was  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  working  the  alluvial  tin  deposits  in  the  bed  of  a  river 
a  few  miles  from  Potosi,  installed  two  powerful  dredges,  one  at 
Aroifilla  and  the  other  at  Chaca.  The  material  taken  out  of  the  river 
bed  contained  about  20  per  cent  tin,  and  the  Aroifilla  dredge  produced 
for  a  time  upward  of  1 10  tons  of  barrilla  per  month,  running  from  60  to 
63  per  cent  tin,  while  the  Chaca  dredge  produced  30  to  38  tons  of 
barrilla  per  month.  However,  the  burning  of  both  of  these  dredges, 
which  represented  a  very  large  investment,  paralyzed  the  work  of 
this  company.  The  placer  deposits  were  originally  owned  by  Sr. 
Mendieta,  of  Potosi,  and  were  successively  held  by  American  and 
Australian  companies  before  coming  into  the  hands  of  their  present 
owners. 

SUR  YUNGAS. 

International  Mining  Co. — The  Yungas  region  is  not  of  great  im- 
portance as  a  mining  district,  though  the  lack  of  good  transporta- 
tion facilities  is  largely  responsible  for  the  failure  to  work  such  mineral 
resources  as  exist.  Most  of  the  deposits  so  far  worked  are  located 
in  a  range  which  rises  above  the  Rio  Taquesi  in  the  Province  of  Sur 
Yungas.  The  deposits  of  the  Pichu  district  near  Yanacachi  are 
largely  of  tin  ores  and  those  of  the  Chojlla  district  consist  of  tin  and 
wolfram.  The  most  important  mining  enterprise  is  that  of  the 
International  Mining  Co.,  whose  mines  are  located  in  the  Chojlla 
district.  This  company  was  organized  by  W.  R.  Grace  &  Co.  during 
the  war,  and  is  capitalized  at  1,000,000  bolivianos.  Its  properties 
cover  a  total  area  of  3,500  hectares.  It  has  exported  as  much  as 
1,200  quintals  of  tin  barrilla  per  month,  and  during  the  war  was  a 
large  producer  of  wolfram.  An  American  is  in  charge  of  operations 
at  the  Carmen  mine,  where  work  is  still  being  carried  on. 

UNCIA. 

The  Uncia  tin-mining  held  is  located  in  the  Province  of  Bustillo, 
Department  of  Potosi,  and  is  the  objective  of  the  railway  from 
Machacamarca  on  the  main  line  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway. 
The  Llallagua  mines  are  located  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  same  hill 
in  which  the  Uncia  deposits  lie.  Both  mines,  in  fact,  work  the  same 
veins,  and  there  was  a  long  controversy  between  the  Uncia  and 
Llallagua  interests.  However,  differences  have  been  adjusted,  and 
the  rivals  are  now  cooperating  in  building  a  large  drainage  tunnel  to 
serve  the  interests  of  both. 

The  Uncia  mines,  which  rank  second  to  those  of  Llallagua  in 
productivity,  are  the  property  of  the  Bolivian  tin-mining  magnate 
Si  limn  Patino.  Sr.  Patino  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  tin  mining  in 
Bolivia  and  had  confidence  in  the  possibilities  of  the  industry  at  a 
time  when  people  believed  in  the  natural  monopoly  of  Cornwall  and 
the  Far  Bast,  lie  secured  options  on  numerous  mines  and  rich 
deposits  of  cassiterite  ore,   and    through    his   persistence  was  able   to 

Becure  the  necessary  capita]  to  develop  them.  Sr.  Patino  himself 
now  lives  in  Tan--,  but  his  interests  in  Bolivia  are  in  charge  of  Arturo 
Loavza,  whose  offices  are  in  Oruro. 


MINING.  137 

The  richest  of  Sr.  Pathio's  Uncia  properties  is  the  mine  known  as 
"La  Salvadora."  The  equipment  of  the  mines  and  of  the  mills  of 
Victoria  and  Miraflores  is  thoroughly  modern  and  well  arranged. 
There  is  probably  no  better  organized  plant  in  Bolivia.  Power  is 
furnished  by  Diesel  crude-oil  engines  of  German  manufacture. 
Electric  drills  are  used  in  the  mines.  Aerial  cableways  connect  the 
Salvadora  and  Patino  tunnels  with  the  mills.  Part  of  the  ore  taken 
out  of  the  Salvadora  mine  assays  57  per  cent  and  is  concentrated  to 
67  per  cent  "barrilla."  Bismuth  and  wolfram  are  also  present  in 
the  ores.  In  1918,  10,114,135  kilos  of  barrilla,  with  a  value  of 
28,451,487  bolivianos,  were  exported  from  Uncia  to  England.  These 
exports  were  sent  out  through  Mejillones. 

OTHER  COMPANIES. 

There  are  numerous  other  mining  companies  in  Bolivia.  Some  of 
these,  which  were  formerly  of  considerable  importance,  are  now 
entirely  inactive  or  have  greatly  decreased  their  scale  of  operations. 
Others  are  quite  small  enterprises  that  work  on  a  minimum  of  capital. 
Thousands  of  claims  are  held  for  future  development  or  for  speculative 
purposes.  In  nearly  all  cases  the  owners  of  these  claims  lack  the 
capital  necessary  for  their  development. 

Among  the  more  important  companies  not  described  above  are  the 
Compania  Porvenir  de  Lipez,  the  Sociedad  Anonima  Huayna  Potosi  y 
Milium,  and  the  Andes  Tin  Corporation.  The  first  of  these  is  a 
Chilean  company,  originally  organized  in  1872  to  exploit  mines  at 
Todos  Santos  in  the  Province  of  Nor  Lipez,  Department  of  Potosi. 
Its  capital  is  registered  at  6,000,000  bolivianos.  The  second  is  a 
French  company  operated  by  Huet  Freres.  It  produces  tin  and 
bismuth.  The  Andes  Tin  Corporation  is  an  American  company, 
which  owns  the  Concordia  tin  mines  in  the  Inquisivi  district. 
Though  well  equipped,  these  mines  are  not  producing  at  present. 
Two  American  geologists  called  them  "the  most  systematically 
worked  tin  mines  in  Bolivia." 


PETROLEUM. 

Serious  interest  in  petroleum  possibilities  in  Bolivia  dates  from 
about  the  year  1906.  The  presence  of  oil  had  long  been  known  from 
the  existence  of  seepages,  particularly  in  the  Caupolican  and  Lagu- 
nillas  district,  but  from  this  time  a  number  of  comparatively  small 
claims  were  acquired  and  registered,  as  much  for  the  purpose  of  spec- 
ulating in  them  as  with  the  intention  of  actually  working  these 
properties. 

DEVELOPMENTS  CARRIED  OUT. 

In  1912  the  Sindicato  del  Oriente  Boliviano  was  organized  by  Sr. 
Luis  Lavadenz,  a  Bolivian.  The  properties  covered  by  this  company 
consisted  of  545,000  hectares  of  land  in  the  Province  of  Azero,  De- 
partment of  Santa  Cruz,  and  known  as  Pirano,  Tacuri,  Canalejas,  and 
Parapeti.  After  spending  about  300,000  bolivianos  in  surveys,  etc., 
this  company  found  itself  unable  to  continue  operations  because  of 
lack  of  capital.  At  this  juncture  Sr.  Lavadenz  went  to  Europe  in 
search  of  the  necessary  capital,  and  while  there  interested  Percival 
Farquhar  in  his  oil  schemes.  Mr.  Farquhar  agreed  to  take  over  the 
rights  of  the  company,  and  sent  out  a  commission  of  engineers  to 
Bolivia.  These  engineers  surveyed  the  lands  in  question,  as  well  as 
80,000  hectares  held  by  another  company,  the  Sindicato  de  Sucre. 
During  the  course  of  their  surveys  they  drilled  two  wells  and  found 
oil,  which  they  declared  to  be  of  excellent  quality.  However,  the 
collapse  of  the  colossal  projects  of  Mr.  Farquhar  in  South  America 
put  an  end  to  his  efforts  in  this  field,  after  about  £40,000  ($195,000) 
had  been  spent  on  reconnaissance  work.  The  materials  and  plans 
belonging  to  the  Farquhar  interests  were  acquired  by  the  Sindicato 
de  Sucre,  under  the  management  of  Sr.  Ricardo  Arco. 

Sr.  Lavadenz  again  went  to  Europe  and  approached  Dutch  oil  in- 
terests in  regard  to  taking  over  the  rights  that  Mr.  Farquhar  had  been 
forced  to  abandon.  The  Dutch  company  also  sent  out  engineers  and 
made  preparations  for  taking  out  the  oil  through  Argentina.  The 
projects  of  this  company  fell  through,  largely  as  a  result  of  disagree- 
ments with  the  Argentine  Government. 

At  this  point  a  group  of  Chileans  made  overtures  to  Sr.  Lavadenz. 
and  as  a  result  there  was  created  in  1910  the  Comunidad  Pet rolil'era 
Santa  Cruz  de  Bolivia.  This  combination  marked  the  entrance  of  the 
Chileans  into  the  Bolivian  field,  and  they  remained  the  most  impor- 
tant element  in  the  situation  until  the  advent  of  American  interests. 
The  Chileans  agreed  to  pay  £  10.000  ($195,000)  in  cash  to  Lavadenz. 
besides  2  bolivianos  for  each  ton  of  oil  taken  out.  A  commission 
beaded  by  Srs.  Koning,  Lanas,  and  Poloch  went  into  the  Santa  Cruz 

district  and  made  an  extended  reconnaissance  of  the  properties  of  the 

company .  bui  the  Chilean  interests  lacked  the  capita]  to  prosecute  the 

work  beyond  this  initial  stage.      Sr.  Lanas  was,  however,  able  to  pro- 
long the  life  of  the  company  and  to  make  a  combination  with  other 
parties  interested  in  Bolivian  oil.     The  most  important  other  oil  in- 
138 


PETROLEUM.  139 

terest  at  that  time  (1916-17)  was  the  Comunidad  Poderosa  de  Chu- 
quisaca,  which  was  organized  early  in  1916  by  Jorge  Cervero  A.  and 
Alfredo  Bonilla  Rojas.  This  company  held  rights  over  700,000  hec- 
tares, situated  in  the  Department  "of  Chuquisaca.  At  the  same 
period  other  concessions  were  held  as  follows: 

Name  of  property.  Number  of  hectares. 

Lagunillas 400,  000 

LaBlanca 500.000 

Porvenir 400.000 

Sindicato  de  Sucre 66.  000 

Pioneer 80,000 

Ayacucho 49,  000 

The  subsequent  acquisition  of  most  of  these  properties  has  con- 
stituted the  basis  for  the  movement  of  American  capital  into  this 
field,  the  Chileans  retiring  to  the  western  part  of  the  country. 

The  Chilean  interests  that  accumulated  such  large  holdings  in  the 
Santa  Cruz  district  turned  their  attention  later  to  the  Caupolican  and 
Calacoto  zones.  In  those  regions  they  acquired  titles  to,  respec- 
tively, 127,400  and  5,000  hectares.  They  were  never  able  to  gain  a 
complete  title  to  the  400,000  hectares  comprised  in  the  Victoria  prop- 
erty. Seven  thousand  hectares  which  were  included  in  the  three 
fields  known  as  Asangaro,  Huancone,  and  Pusei  (the  last-named 
across  the  Peruvian  border)  formed  the  basis  of  a  company  which 
bears  the  name  of  the  Compania  Petroleco  Espana.  This  smaller 
company  has  a  paid-up  capital  of  £40,000  ($195,000)  and  has  already 
begun  operations  on  a  small  scale.  Early  attempts  to  develop  the 
Caupolican  region,  dating  from  1906,  failed.  In  1916  Sr.  Hiram 
Loayza,  a  Bolivian,  secured  an  option  on  25,000  hectares,  under  the 
name  of  Santa  Doris  Compania  Petroleco  de  Caupolican,  but  failed  to 
carry  out  the  conditions  of  the  contract  within  the  specified  time  and 
was  compelled  to  renounce  his  claims.  However,  Sr.  Bonilla  Rojas 
was  able  to  make  good  the  rights  to  127,400  hectares,  which  was  to 
form  the  basis  of  the  Chilean  Comunidad  Caupolican. 

Several  concessions  were  obtained  in  the  Calacoto  region  in  the 
Province  of  Pacajes  before  the  law  of  1916  prohibited  further  grants 
of  oil  lands.  The  following  companies  have  been  organized  to  work 
these  properties. 

Name  of  company.  Number  of  hectares. 

Union  de  Calacoto 5-000 

Preliminar  de  Calacoto 3, 473 

Bolivar  y  Sucre •      430 

Progreso 500 

Remedio  de  San  Antonio 90 

Copacabana 30 

LOCATION  OF  OIL  FIELDS. 

The  Bolivian  oil  fields  are  but  one  link  of  a  petroleum  belt  which 
continues  on  the  south  into  Argentina  and  on  the  north,  with  wide 
gaps,  into  Peru  and  beyond.  The  presence  of  oil  has  long  been  no- 
ticeable in  numerous  places  among  the  lower  foothills  of  the  eastern 
side  of  the  Andes,  where  seepages  appear  in  the  presence  of  the 
marked  anticlines  of  that  region.  Such  manifestations  have  been 
most  evident  in  the  country  lying  to  the  west  of  the  Santa  Ouz- 
Yacuiba  trail.     In  fact,  the  Santa  Cruz-Chuquisaca-Tarija  oil  dis- 


140        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

tricl  follows  the  general  direction  of  this  trail,  which  parallels  the 
adjacent  foothills  of  the  Cordillera.  North  and  northwest  of  the  city 
of  Santa  Cruz,  evidences  of  oil  continue  in  frequent  seepages.  The 
natives  have  long  been  accustomed  to  hale  out  oil  from  the  holes  for 
local  use,  and  the  street  lamps  in  Santa  Cruz  have  used  the  local  oil. 
From  this  region  the  general  direction  of  the  fields  is  toward  the 
northwest,  roughly  paralleling  the  main  chain  of  the  Andes  and  the 
coast  of  (he  Pacific.  Though  the  presence  of  oil  has  been  discovered 
in  (he  Beni,  it  is  nowhere  so  common  in  that  region  as  in  the  Province 
of  Caupolican,  which  lies  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz  and  to  the 
west  of  the  River  Beni  In  this  zone  it  has  been  found  in  several 
localities  between  the  valley  of  the  Tuishi  and  that  of  the  Madidi. 

The  exception  to  this  larger  field,  which  extends  with  breaks  from 
the  neighborhood  of  the  Madidi  almost  to  the  Argentine  border,  is 
that  of  Calacoto.  This  minor  field  is  located  in  the  Province  of 
Pacajes,  Department  of  La  Paz,  and  along  the  line  of  the  Arica-La 
Paz  Railway.  It  lies  at  an  altitude  of  over  12,000  feet  and  in  a 
country  of  different  geological  charaeteristics.  It  is  situated  near 
the  Mauri  and  Desaguadero  Rivers,  which  belong  to  the  curious 
drainage  system  of  Lakes  Titicaca  and  Poopo. 

BOLIVIAN  LAWS  REGARDING  PETROLEUM  LANDS. 

LAW  OF  DECEMBER   12,   1916. 

The  principal  provisions  of  the  law  of  December  12.   1916,  were 

as  follows: 

1.  For  three  years  following  January  1,  1917,  holders  of  oil  lands 
were  to  pay  a  yearly  tax  of  but  2  centavos  per  hectare,  but  for  the  two 
succeeding  years  this  tax  was  to  be  raised  to  10  centavos  per  hectare, 
in  both  cases  to  be  paid  half-yearly.  If  half  the  tax  were  not  paid 
before  the  end  of  the  corresponding  half  year,  the  concession  in 
question  would  be  declared  annulled. 

2.  The  State  reserved  to  itself  10  per  cent  of  the  gross  proceeds  of 
all  petroleum  workings. 

'.1.  From  the  date  of  promulgation  of  the  law  further  grants  of 
petroleum  lands  were  forbidden,  such  lands  to  be  the  exclusive  prop- 
erty of  the  State.  Concessions  which  should  be  annulled  or  whose 
grantees  should  be  dispossessed  were  also  to  pass  into  the  possession 
of  the  State. 

4.  Any  mineral  oils  which  might  be  found  in  connection  with  the 
working  of  other  mineral  concessions  were  likewise  to  be  the  exclusive' 
property  of  the  State. 

5.  The  product  of  the  tax  collected  in  accordance  with  this  law 
was  to  he  devoted  to  the  construction  of  the  railway  from  Sucre  to 
Santa  Cruz  by  way  of  Lagunillas. 

LAW   OF  FEBRUARY  6,  1920. 

The  provision  in  section  1  of  the  law  of  L916  regarding  the  payment 
of  a  tax  of  lo  centavos  per  hectare  on  oil  hinds  is  amended  by  the  law 
of  February  6,  L920,  so  as  to  provide  for  the  reduction  o(  this  tax  to  8 
centavos  per  hectare. 

LAW    OF  FEBRUARY  21.  1920. 

By  the  law  of  February  2  1,  L920,  the  President  of  the  Republic  is 

aut  horized  to  grant  a  concession  for  t  he  working  of  petroleum  deposits 

located  on  liseal  lands.      Such  concessions  are  to  be  in  the  form  of  a 


PETROLEUM.  141 

temporary  lease  and  are  not  to  exceed  66  years.  The  State  is  to 
receive,  as  its  share  of  the  gross  product  of  such  workings,  a  propor- 
tion of  not  less  than  12^  per  cent.  The  State  itself  is  also  authorized 
to  proceed  with  the  exploitation  of  such  deposits  by  direct  adminis- 
tration. In  such  a  case  it  may  contract  a  loan  for  the  amount 
needed,  providing  as  guaranty  the  oil  lands  in  question  and  the 
machinery  to  be  required  for  this  purpose. 

Twenty  per  cent  of  the  net  profit  resulting  from  the  working  of 

Setroleum  deposits  on  fiscal  lands  is  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the 
department  in  which  the  workings  are  located. 

INTERESTS  IN  FIELD. 
AMERICAN. 

RICHMOND   LEVERING    &    CO. 

The  home  office  of  Richmond  Levering  &  Co.  is  at  120  Broadway, 
New  York. 

Their  acquisitions  by  private  purchase,  and  options  held  on  private 
lands,  total  nearly  a  million  hectares,  distributed  as  follows: 

1.  Santa  Cruz- Chuquisaca- Tarija  region. — About  200,000  hectares, 
chiefly  in  the  property  known  as  "Porvenir"  lying  northwest,  west, 
and  southwest  of  the  city  of  Santa  Cruz.  (Julio  C.  Alberta  has 
recently  gone  to  the  United  States  with  full  powers  from  Miguel 
Velasco  to  ''modify,  annul,  or  rescind  the  contract  made  with  Rich- 
mond Levering  &  Co."  for  the  options  on  the  "Porvenir"  property.) 
The  Richmond  Levering  interests  have  also  been  negotiating  with  the 
owners  for  options  on  an  additional  200,000  hectares  in  the  Santa 
Cruz  region,  included  largely  in  the  property  known  as  ''La  Pre- 
visora,"  and  in  other  properties  known  as  "El  Campamento,"  ''El 
Carmen,"  "La  Esperanza,"  and  ''Central." 

Five  hundred  thousand  hectares  in  the  Departments  of  Chuquisaca 
and  Tarija.  The  largest  block  of  this  lies  to  the  east  and  south  of  the 
Braden  properties  as  far  as  the  Argentine  border,  and  an  additional 
piece  lies  as  a  long,  narrow  strip  between  the  "Poderosa"  and  "La- 
gunillas"  properties  in  Braden.  This  is  probably  the  most  valuable 
part  of  the  Richmond  Levering  holdings. 

2.  Colonias  region. — Richmond  Levering  &  Co.  have  also  secured 
rights  to  100,000  hectares  in  the  Territory  of  Colonias,  lying  to  the 
west  of  the  River  Beni  and  to  the  north  of  the  Madidi. 

3.  Calacoto  region. — Five  hundred  hectares  included  in  the  "Pro- 
greso"  property. 

Richmond  Levering  &  Co.  have  also  secured  the  oil  rights  to 
1,000,000  hectares  of  fiscal  lands  under  the  provisions  of  the  law  of 
February  24,  1920.  They  have  the  right  to  select  these  lands  in  the 
Departments  of  Santa  Cruz,  Chuquisaca,  and  Tarija. 

ARGENTINE-BOLIVIAN    EXPLORATION    &    DEVELOPMENT   CO.,    BUENOS    AIRES. 

The  William  Braden  interests  have  acquired  private  concessions 
in  the  Lagunillas  field  amounting  to  2,145,000  hectares.  These  cover 
the  properties  known  as  "Santa  Cruz,"  "Poderosa,"  "Lagunillas,  "and 
"La  Blanca,"  and  were  secured  for  £750,000  ($3,649,875)  from  the 
Chilean  and  Bolivian  interests  which  held  the  original  titles  to  them. 
The  most  promising  of  the   Braden  holdings  are  situated  in  the 


142         BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

Province  of  Azero.  One  Braden  engineer  declares  that  these  are 
"the  richest  deposits  in  the  world."  Probably  the  least  valuable  of 
the  Braden  properties  is  "La  Poderosa." 

A  party  of  Braden  men  has  recently  gone  into  the  Lagunillas  field 
from  Sucre  for  the  purpose  of  making  surveys. 

SINCLAIR    A    CO. 

Though  this  company  had  a  representative  in  Bolivia  for  some 
time,  it  appears  to  nave  been  unable  to  obtain  the  concessions  nec- 
essary for  operating  in  the  country.  It  has,  however,  been  com- 
peting with  Richmond  Levering  for  options  on  certain  oil  lands. 

BRITISH. 

J.    BACKUS. 

J.  Backus  is  general  manager  of  the  Bolivia  Railway,  with  offices 
in  La  Paz.  Though  not  legally  a  British  citizen,  his  business  and 
social  connections  are  largely  British. 

Mr.  Backus  holds  a  concession  from  the  Bolivian  Government, 
similar  in  its  main  details  to  that  held  by  Richmond  Levering  for 
the  Departments  of  Santa  Cruz,  Chuquisaca,  and  Tarija,  and  cover- 
ing the  Provinces  of  Pacajes,  Camacho,  Munecas,  and  Caupolican 
in  the  Department  of  La  Paz,  while  he  has  also  presented  a  similar 
petition  for  a  concession  to  cover  the  Department  of  El  Beni.  He 
holds  these  concessions  as  an  individual,  but  has  given  the  Bolivia 
Railway  Co.  until  April  15  to  take  over  his  rights.  Mr.  Backus 
does  not  command  the  capital  necessary  to  develop  the  lands  in- 
cluded in  his  concessions  for  oil  rights  on  fiscal  lands,  but  it  is 
believed  that  he  is  counting  upon  the  Pearson  interests  to  furnish 
this  element  in  his  plans. 

ANGLO-SOUTH    AMERICAN    OILFIELDS    (LTD.). 

The  home  office  of  the  Anglo-South  American  Oilfields  (Ltd.)  is 
at  24  College  St.,  London,  E.  C.  This  company  is  capitalized  at 
L'2.")0,000  ($1,216,625),  which  is  divided  into  500,000  shares  of 
10s.  each.  Of  these,  249,986  shares  have  been  issued  as  fully  paid 
up  for  the  property  acquired  by  the  company.  The  Brazilian  Com- 
merce &  Industries  (Ltd.)  hold  the  shares  in  question  and  now  offer 
them  for  resale  at  the  same  price  through  their  bankers,  the  London 
Joint  City  &  Midland  Bank. 

This  company  has  leased  750,000  hectares  tof  land  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Santa  Cruz  from  the  Anglo-South  American  Oil  Co.  These 
lands  lie  in  the  Province  of  Velasco  between  latitude  13  and  1  I  and 
Longitude  <>l  and  62. 

CHILEAN. 

The  Compafifa  Petrolifera  Caupolican  y  Calacoto,  with  home 
office  at  ( lalle  Bandera  231,  Santiago,  Chile,  has  a  capital  of  £600,000 

($2,919,900),  divided  into  1,200. 000  shares  of  Ids.  each:  196,000 
of  these  shares  belong  to  the  former  shareholders  of  the  two  com- 
panies whose  amalgamation  constituted  the  present  company, 
namely,  the  Compafifa  Petrolifera  de  Hulluncayani  and  the  Com- 
pafifa  I'liion  de  Calacoto. 


PETROLEUM.  143 

In  the  Calacoto  district  the  company  holds  5,000  hectares,  which 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Compania  Union  do  Calacoto. 

In  the  Caupolican  district  the  company  holds  127,400  hectares 
in  the  country  about  the  River  Tuichi,  an  affluent  of  the  Beni.  It 
is  also  negotiating  with  J.  Backus  for  more  lands  in  the  same  general 
region. 

TRANSPORTATION   PROBLEMS. 

Calacoto  field. — The  transportation  problem  for  this  district  is 
greatly  simplified  by  the  nearness  of  the  Arica-La  Paz  Railway. 

Caupolican  field. — Oil  from  this  field  would  have  to  be  taken 
out  by  way  of  the  Beni,  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway,  and  the 
Amazon. 

Colonias  field. — The  Richmond  Levering  people  consider  the 
laying  of  a  pipe  line  from  this  field  to  Cobija,  where  the  Rio  Acre 
is  navigable  for  large  steamers. 

Beni  and  Upper  Santa  Cruz  fields. — Any  oil  found  in  these  regions 
will  be  sent  out  through  the  Amazon  tributaries  and  over  the  Madeira- 
Mamore  Railway  into  the  Amazon. 

Santa  Cruz-Chuquisaca-Tarija  fields. — Richmond  Levering  &  Co. 
propose  to  take  out  oil  and  bring  in  machinery  and  supplies 
across  the  Chaco,  with  Puerto  Pacheco  (Bahia  Negra)  as  their  base 
on  the  Paraguay  River.  They  would  run  a  road  across  the  Chaco 
almost  due  west  from  Puerto  Pacheco,  with  artesian  wells  at  regular 
intervals.  They  contemplate  the  use  of  tractors,  especially  in  the 
initial  stages  of  the  work.  Their  pipe  line  would  be  laid  along  this 
same  route.  The  alternative  to  this  is  the  old  road  south  from 
Lagunillas  and  Santa  Cruz  to  the  Argentine  railhead  at  Embarcacion. 
For  the  field  which  lies  to  the  west  and  northwest  of  the  city  of 
Santa  Cruz,  the  transportation  problem  is  extremely  difficult,  not 
only  because  of  the  great  distance  from  either  the  Paraguay  River  or 
the  terminus  of  the  Argentine  Central  Northern  Railway,  but  because 
of  the  mountainous  character  of  the  country  itself. 

Braden's  plans  include  the  construction  of  a  railway  from  Sucre 
to  the  Pilcomayo  River  at  some  point  between  the  small  forts  of 
Magarinos  and  Esteros,  which  would  enable  him  to  send  out  his  oil 
through  the  Parana  River  by  the  Argentine  port  of  Formosa.  Such 
a  line  would  pass  through  the  towns  of  Villa  Montes  and  Machhereti 
and  would  keep  to  the  north  side  of  the  Pilcomayo  as  far  as  the 
point  to  be  designated  for  the  place  of  crossing.  Here  it  would  make 
connections  with  a  branch  of  the  Argentine  State  railway  that  is 
being  built  in  from  Formosa  with  Embarcacion  as  its  ultimate 
objective. 

It  may  be  added  here  that  schemes  for  piping  petroleum  from  the 
eastern  Bolivian  fields  across  the  Andes  to  Chile  are  entirely  imprac- 
ticable, as  this  would  imply  raising  the  oil  a  height  of  about  13,000 
feet,  and  petroleum  is  also  too  heavy  to  be  siphoned  across.  The 
natural  and  easy  gradient  from  the  fields  to  the  River  Plate  fluvial 
system  makes  this  the  logical  outlet  for  the  Bolivian  oil  fields. 


STOCK  RAISING. 


INTRODUCTION:  LIVE-STOCK  STATISTICS. 

Though  stock  raising  is  widely  carried  on  in  Bolivia,  the  industry 
is  in  much  the  same  backward  state  of  development  as  is  agricul- 
ture.    The  greatest  need  in  the  country  at  present  is  the  introduction 

of  better  breeding  animals  from  abroad.  However,  a  beginning  is 
being  made  on  a  small  scale  in  the  importation  of  high-class  boars 
and  rams  from  the  United  States.  Stock  is  raised  in  considerable 
numbers  on  the  altiplano,  but  the  part  of  the  Republic  best  suited 
by  nature  to  the  industry  consists  of  the  plains  that  extend  from  the 
lacuma  region  of  the  Beni  south  to  the  Chaco  lowlands  along  the 
lower  Pilcomayo. 

Not  even  an  approximate  estimate  of  the  number  of  live  stock  in 
Bolivia  is  possible,  but  the  National  Ministry  of  Agriculture  is  now 
preparing  such  a  census  on  the  basis  of  data  sent  in  by  local  officials 
throughout  the  country. 

The  data  collected  by  the  middle  of  1020  covered  only  a  few- 
Provinces  of  the  Republic.     Some  of  the  results  were  as  follows : 

Department  of   Coehabamba:  Provinces   of    Annie.    Ayopaya, 
Campero,  ami  Totora — 

Cattle ::»  8 1 1 

Sheep 260 •-'"< 

Goats 50,442 

Hogs ,     1^-852 

Department  of  Santa  Cruz:  Provinces  of  Cordillera  and   (  hi- 
quitos — 

Cattle 39,202 

Sheep 2-  " ■' 

GoatJ 2,939 

Department  of  Tariia:  Provinces  of  Gran  Chaco  and  Aviles— 

rattle 21,597 

Sheep 82, 779 

A  census  made  in  1912  of  the  live  stock  in  the  Provinces  of  Tomina, 
Yamparaez,  and  Cinti,  Department  of  Chuquisaca,  by  the  National 

Department  of  Statistics  gave  the  following  results: 

Caul- 113,679 

Sheep 200,782 

Mulee !)-  L45 

However,  the  Province  of  Azero  has  more  live  stock  than  any  one 
of  these  Provinces.  A  Government  veterinary  surgeon  gave  the 
following  figures  in  L919  for  the  live  stock  of  the  three  Provinces  of 
Cercado,  Mendez,  and  O'Connor,  Department  ofTarija: 


Burros 21,  657 

Goata 89,  L18 

Hogs 2 


Live  stock. 


Cattle 

Hoi    I 
M   ill 

Buna 

II 


Cercado. 


1,706 

1,009 

173 

17,050 
11,900 

910 


Mendez. 


9,420 
3,009 

•jo,  H:t:. 


O'Connor. 


I  11 


STOCK   RAISING.  145 

A  census  of  the  Province  of  Cercado,  Department  of  Oruro,  taken 
in  1914  by  the  departmental  government,  gave  the  following  results: 


Horses 59 

Mules 49 

Burros 5,  231 

Cattle 5,446 

A  census  taken  of  the  Provinces  of  Cercado  and  Sicasica,  Depart- 
ment of  La  Paz,  in  1910,  gave  the  following  results: 


Sheep 149,625 

Llamas 33,  446 

Alpacas 217 

Goats 103 


Live  stock. 


Sheep . 
Cattle. 
Mules. 
Hogs.. 


Cercado. 


38,712 
8.816 
1,117 
1,224 


67,998 

2,392 

303 

1,04D 


CATTLE. 


The  breed  of  cattle  in  Bolivia  largely  consists  of  the  degenerate 
descendants  of  the  old  Creole  stock  of  Spanish  times.  Through  lack 
of  care  and  unrestricted  interbreeding  this  race  of  cattle  has  steadily 
deteriorated,  and  to-day  a  typical  steer  of  this  variety  will  weigh, 
dressed,  only  400  to  450  pounds.  They  are  the  long-legged  and  long- 
horned  cattle  everywhere  common  to  this  class  of  animal.  Some  of 
the  stock  bred  for  oxen  attain  to  a  good  size  and  weight,  and  though 
they  are  often  slaughtered  for  beef  after  a  long  period  of  service, 
their  flesh  has  acquired  a  consistency  that  scarcely  makes  it  prime 
meat  for  eating  purposes. 


PLATEAU  REGION. 


It  is  unfortunate  that  in  Bolivia  the  lands  best  adapted  to  the 
raising  of  cattle  are  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  country,  being 
thus  far  distant  from  the  chief  centers  of  population  on  the  plateau. 
However,  most  of  the  demand  of  the  plateau  cities  is  supplied  by 
cattle  bred  on  the  altiplano,  though  considerable  numbers  are  brought 
to  Oruro,  Potosi,  and  Uyuni  from  the  valleys  about  Cochabamba  and 
Sucre.  Most  of  the  estates  of  the  La  Paz  section  of  the  table-land 
raise  a  few  head,  but  there  are  no  large  herds  in  that  region.  There 
is  not  sufficient  pasturage  for  large  numbers  of  cattle,  except  in  cer- 
tain parts  of  the  Province  of  Carangas,  where  there  are  large  tracts 
of  grassy  country  bordering  the  streams  of  the  Desaguadero-Poopo 
system.  The  growth  of  scrub  grass  which  covers  much  of  the  table- 
land furnishes  adequate  grazing  for  the  limited  herds  during  the 
rainy  season,  but  the  feeding  problem  may  become  serious  during 
the  dry  months,  when  the  altiplano  takes  on  a  brown  and  parched 
aspect  and  the  streams  have  run  dry.  Little  alfalfa  or  other  forage 
is  cultivated  as  food  for  cattle. 


TEGION  OF  COCHABAMBA. 


In  the  more  temperate  region  of  Cochabamba  stock  raising  ranks 
next  to  agriculture  among  the  industries  of  the  Department.  The 
extent  of  pasture  lands  is  restricted,  however,  and  herds  are  small, 
there  being  seldom  more  than  200  or  300  in  a  lot  (and  even  herds  of 


44462°— 21 10 


146        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

this  size  are  rare).  Difficulties  of  communication  with  the  plains 
country  to  the  northeast,  which  is  well  Buited  to  cattle  raising  on  a 
large  scale,  arc  such  as  to  prevent  the  bringing  of  cattle  from  that 
region  to  the  Cochabamba  market.  The  cattle  raised  in  the  Beni 
are  consumed  locally,  sent  down  river  into  Brazil,  or  driven  via  Santa 
Cruz  south  into  northern  Argentina,  particularly  to  Salta.  Those 
animals  killed  in  the  "mataderos"  of  the  towns  in  the  Department 
of  Cochabamba  are  mostly  old  oxen  that  have  outlived  their  useful- 
ness as  draft  animals,  or  are  steers  thai  are  too  small  for  draft  service. 
Some  cattle  are  also  brought  in  from  the  Vallegrande  district,  which 
lies  a  long  way  to  the  southeast  of  Cochabamba.  Very  few  are 
driven  in  from  the  region  about  Santa  Cruz. 

Weekly  cattle  fairs  are  held  in  nearly  all  the  towns  about  Cocha- 
bamba,  as  well  as  in  the  capital  itself.  The  largest  of  these  cattle 
markets  is  that  of  Quillacollo,  to  which  about  500  head  are  brought 
each  week,  as  against  about  400  for  the  Cochabamba  market.  How  - 
ever,  only  a  few  of  the  animals  are  sold,  the  unsold  majority  being 
driven  back  to  the  country,  to  be  brought  in  again  to  the  next  week's 
market.  Prices  for  this  class  of  stock,  which  weighs  from  400  to 
450  pounds,  dressed,  range  between  100  and  200  bolivianos.  It  is 
reported  that  55,677  head  of  cattle  were  killed  in  the  public  "mata- 
deros"  of  Cochabamba  during  the  eight-year  period  1911-1918. 
During  1919  there  were  killed  7,300  cattle,  34,303  sheep,  and  4,384 
goats.  The  hides  of  all  cattle  killed  within  the  city  are  required  to 
be  turned  over  to  the  municipality,  which  auctions  off  to  the  highest 
bidder  the  right  to  sell  them.  However,  because  of  the  prevalence 
of  the  foot-and-mouth  disease  in  the  Department,  the  quality  of  the 
Cochabamba  hides  has  deteriorated  considerably  of  late.  Little 
attention  is  paid  to  dairying,  and  the  native  breed  of  cattle,  moreover, 
yields  milk  of  poor  quality. 

SUCEE  DISTRICT. 

Though  the  area  of  grazing  lands  in  the  mountainous  country  of 
the  Sucre  district  is  limited,  a  surplus  of  cattle  is  raised  for  shipments 
to  other  parts  of  the  country.  Excellent  oxen  are  bred  in  this  region. 
Owing  to  the  lack  of  pasturage,  there  are  almost  no  cattle  in  the 
Yungas  country,  and  meat  is  brought  in,  dried,  from  La  Paz.  An 
experiment  of  bringing  eat  lie  from  the  Beni  failed  because  of  the 
great  distance  over  which  if  was  necessary  to  drive  them. 

BOLIVIAN  AMAZONIA. 

There  are  vast  areas  of  land  in  the  Bolivian  Amazonia  that  are 
suited   lor  the  raising  of  cattle  on   a    large  scale.      The  largest   single 

extent  of  pasture  lands  is  in  the  Mojos  plains  between  the  upper  Beni 

and  t  he  Mamore,  all  hough  t  here  are  also  wide  expanses  of  open  coun- 
try in  the  [tenez  district.  These  plains  are  covered  with  a  luxuriant 
growth  of  grasses,  and  there  is  generally  a  plentiful  supply  o\'  water 
throughout  the  year. 

The  stock  of  cattle  in   the  Mojos   region   is  variouslv  estimated   at 

from  250,000  to  I, ()()(),()()()  head.  These  consist  of  the  old  Creole 
breed  which  is  so  common  in  the  more  undeveloped  parts  of  South 

America.  There  are  also  large  numbers  of  wild  cattle,  or  "ganadu 
bravo,"  which  graze  on  the  prairies  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  forests. 


STOCK   RAISING. 


147 


into  which  they  escape  when  pursued.  However,  cattlemen  are 
making  an  effort  to  domesticate  these  wild  herds,  which  belong  to 
anyone  on  whose  lands  they  may  happen  to  be  at  a  particular  time. 
There  are  seldom  more  than  a  few  hundred  head  of  cattle  in  the 
herds  of  tame  stock,  though  there  are  some  herds  of  5,000  to  7,000. 

One  of  the  principal  difficulties  in  raising  cattle  in  the  Bern  arises 
from  the  periodical  inundations  of  wide  expanses  of  the  plains  on 
which  the  herds  graze.  However,  there  are  generally  rises  of  ground 
within  reach  to  which  cattle  can  be  driven  above  the  level  of  the 
floods,  and,  moreover,  the  depth  of  water  on  the  open  prairies  is 
seldom  great  enough  to  cause  losses  from  drowning.  Much  could  be 
done,  too,  by  ditching  parts  of  the  land,  so  that  the  water  could  flow 
off  more  quickly.  The  lack  of  salt  is  another  problem  that  faces  the 
"ganaderos"  of  the  Beni  country,  and  rock  salt  has  to  be  brought 
in  from  the  Oruro  and  Uyuni  districts  of  the  plateau.  The  "fiebre 
aftosa"  or  hoof-and-mouth  disease  has  caused  considerable  damage  to 
cattle  in  the  Beni,  though  a  remedy  devised  by  a  German  chemist  in 
Cochabamba  has  been  tried  with  success.  Some  cattle  are  killed  by 
jaguars,  but  more  are  probably  lost  as  a  result  of  bites  by  poisonous 
snakes.  . 

Improved  methods  of  breeding  are  greatly  needed  m  the  Bern,  as 
everywhere  in  Bolivia.  There  is  little  selection  of  breeding  stock, 
and  no  foreign  bulls  have  been  introduced.  Because  of  the  lack  of 
care  of  the  herds  an  abnormal  percentage  of  the  calves  die  each 
year.     The  wiring  of  pasture  lands  is  unknown. 

The  lack  of  a  larger  market  has  been  one  of  the  great  obstacles  to 
the  development  of  the  cattle  industry  in  the  Beni.  The  cattle 
country  of  the  Mojos  region  supplies  the  rubber  districts  along  the 
lower  rivers  with  beef  on  the  hoof  or  in  the  dried  form  as  "charqui/ 
but  this  is  a  very  restricted  market.  Buyers  from  the  Argentine 
also  come  north  each  year  bv  way  of  Santa  Cruz  and  drive  back 
from  1,000  to  3,000  head  of  cattle.  Some  are  sent  across  into  Brazil, 
and  in  1917  one  lot  of  40  was  shipped  as  far  as  Para  with  good  results. 
The  export  duty  on  cattle  is,  respectively,  12  and  15  bolivianos  for 
male  and  female  stock.  There  is  also  a  dutv  of  2  bolivianos  on  each 
hide  shipped  out  of  the  Department  of  El  Beni.  Most  of  the  hides 
exported  from  the  Department  are  sent  to  Cochabamba.  A  few 
years  ago  cattle  in  the  Beni  sold  for  5  to  10  bolivianos  a  head,  but 
they  now  bring  up  to  100  bolivianos. 

One  of  the  most  serious  needs  of  the  cattle  business  in  tins  region 
is  improved  connections  with  the  large  market  of  the  plateau,  which 
would  enable  cattlemen  to  place  their  stock  in  Cochabamba.  At 
present  the  lack  of  food  in  the  heavily  forested  country  that  inter- 
venes between  the  Chapare  plains  and  the  mountains  which  hem  in 
the  Cochabamba  vallevs  on  the  north  makes  the  driving  of  cattle 
over  the  Todos  Santos  trail  out  of  the  question.  The  only  alternative 
route  is  the  roundabout  way  by  Santa  Cruz  and  Totora.  This 
would  necessitate  the  establishment  of  feeding  grounds  at  regular 
intervals  along  the  road,  and,  even  with  this  precaution,  losses  would 
inevitably  occur.  In  1920  a  representative  of  American  packing 
interests  visited  the  Beni  and  Santa  Cruz  regions  with  the  object  of 
studying  the  conditions  of  the  cattle  industry  in  that  region  and  the 
possibilities  of  bringing  cattle  thence  to  Cochabamba,  where  the 
establishment  of  a  packing  plant  was  considered.     A  road  is  also 


148        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

being  built  from  the  Borja  plains  of  the  western  part  of  the  Rio  Beni 
Basin  to  Coroico  in  the  lungas  lor  the  express  purpose  of  bringing 
cattle  to  the  plateau  in  the  region  of  La  Paz.  Tnis  is  a  private 
enterprise  in  charge  of  a  German. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  SANTA  CRUZ  AND  REGION  TO  SOUTH. 

Stock  raising  is  at  present  the  most  important  industry  of  the 
Department  of  Santa  Cruz.  In  the  plains  country  there  are  wide 
areas  of  lands  covered  with  high  grass,  on  which  Large  herds  of 
cattle  i'cvi\.  In  the  Chiquitos  region  to  tin1  east  herds  are  smaller, 
hut  the  pasture  lands  are  sufficient  to  accommodate  a  far  greater 
number  of  cattle.  Parts  of  the  Beni  and  the  northern  Provinces  of 
Argentina  are  the  only  outside  markets  for  the  cattle  of  Santa  Cruz. 
ana  it  is  the  limited  capacity  of  this  market  that  constitutes  the 
principal  impediment  to  the  expansion  of  the  industry.  It  is  im- 
practicable to  drive  cattle  in  any  considerable  numbers  over  the 
mountains  to  Cochabamba.  Large  numbers  of  hides  are,  however, 
sent  to  Sucre  and  Cochabamba  as  sole  leather.  The  breed  of  cattle 
is  still  comparatively  small  and  of  late  has  suffered  much  from  hoof- 
and-mouth  disease.  A  large  proportion  of  calves  also  die  from  the 
blowfly.  With  the  present  lack  of  incentive,  little  is  being  done 
toward  improving  the  breed  of  stock. 

The  cattle  region  of  eastern  Bolivia  continues  south  from  Santa 
Cruz  in  the  belt  lying  to  the  east  of  the  Andes  foothills  and  extending 
down  into  Tarija  and  thence  southeast  into  the  Chaco  country  along  the 
lower  Pilcomayo.  There  is  much  good  pasture  in  this  region,  espe- 
cially in  the  Tarija  valleys  and  along  the  Pilcomayo.  There  are  several 
huge  properties  in  this  area.  The  Leach  Bros,  estate  of  La  Esmer- 
alda on  the  Pilcomayo  has  more  than  5,000  head  of  cattle,  and  the 
German  firm  of  Staudt  &  Co.  has  17  ranches  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Villa.  Montes.  They  have  wired  "potreros"  or  pastures,  and  have 
dug  a  number  of  wells  8  to  30  meters  (26  to  98  feet)  deep.  There  is 
considerable  cattle  stealing  in  some  parts,  and  it  is  estimated  that 
about  17,000  head  are  driven  across  the  lower  Pilcomayo  into 
Argentina  each  year  for  the  purpose  of  escaping  the  payment  o\'  the 
export  duty.  In  1918,  14,253  bulls  and  steers  and  .V_>2  cows  were 
exported  through  Yacuiba  into  Argentina,  and  in  the  first  four 
months  of  1919  exports  amounted  to  3,701  bulls  and  steers  and  L12 
cowts.  A  certain  amount  of  Texas  fever,  boof-and-mouth  disease. 
and  carbuncle  is  prevalent  in  this  region. 

EXPORTS  AND  IMPORTS. 

During  1918  a  total  of  17,114  head  of  cattle  were  exported  through 
the  Bolivian  customhouses.  These  cattle  represented  an  official 
value  of  1,540,260  bolivianos.  Tie1  proportion  shipped  to  Argentina, 
Brazil,  and  Chile  was,  respectively,  86.51,  9.72,  and  3.77  per  cent. 
Between  L914and  L918  exports  of  cattle  increased  by  over  667  percent. 
Exports  by  Departments  were  as  follows:  Santa  Cruz,  7A77  head: 
Tarija,  3,967;  Chuquisaca,  3,384;  El  Beni,  1,425;  others,  761.     During 

the  same  year  3,852  head  of  cattle  were  imported,  most  of  them  from 

Argentina  by  way  of  Villazon;  and  1,913  head  were  driven  through 
Yilla/.on  on  their  way  across  to  Chile.  In  191 9,  20,600  cattle,  valued 
at  1,854,000  bolivianos,  were  exported. 


STOCK   RAISING.  149 

In  1918,  484,867  kilos  of  hides,  to  a  value  of  387,893  bolivianos, 
were  exported.  Tarija,  Chuquisaca,  La  Paz,  and  Santa  Cruz  were 
the  largest  shippers,  in  the  order  given.  The  proportion  sent  to  the 
different  importing  countries  was  as  follows:  Great  Britain,  51.12 
per  cent;  United  States,  25.05  per  cent;  France,  14.90  per  cent;  and 
the  remainder  to  various  South  American  countries. 

Imports  of  canned  and  prepared  meats  of  various  kinds  amounted 
to  31,375  kilos,  with  a  value  of  29,565  bolivianos.  In  addition, 
70,721  kilos  of  "charqui"  or  sun-dried  beef  was  imported.  The 
largest  imports  of  meat  products  were  from  Brazil  and  Chile.  Of 
condensed  milk,  817,472  kilos  were  imported,  to  a  total  value  of 
245,242  bolivianos,  of  which  643,497  kilos  came  from  the  United 
States,  Peru  ranking  second.  Of  butter,  66,063  kilos  were  imported, 
largely  from  Peru,  Argentina,  and  Denmark,  though  3,693  kilos 
were  imported  from  the  United  States.  Imports  of  cheese  amounted 
to  22,728  kilos,  mostly  from  Chile  and  Argentina. 

SHEEP  AND  OTHER  WOOL-BEARING  ANIMALS. 

In  spite  of  the  adaptability  of  much  of  the  country  to  the  raising 
of  wool-bearing  animals,  the  development  of  the  foreign  wool  trade 
of  Bolivia  is  of  quite  recent  date,  only  about  17,000  kilos  of  sheep's 
wool  having  been  exported  in  1910  and  1911.  Though  there  has 
been  a  very  marked  increase  in  the  exports  of  wool  during  the  past 
decade,  much  remains  to  be  done  before  the  sheep-raising  industry 
is  put  on  such  a  modern  basis  as  it  has  reached  in  countries  like 
Argentina  and  Uruguay. 

SHEEP. 

Though  sheep  are  found  throughout  the  highland  region  of  Bolivia, 
little  serious  attention  is  given  to  their  breeding.  The  stock  consists 
of  the  old  degenerated  merino  breed  brought  in  by  the  Spaniards  and 
allowed  to  increase  and  deteriorate  with  what  little  care  the  Indian 
shepherds  are  disposed  to  give  to  their  flocks.  These  flocks  vary 
in  size  from  a  few  sheep  to  8,000,  flocks  of  the  latter  size  being  very 
rare  even  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz,  which  is  the  center  of  the 
sheep-raising  industry  of  Bolivia.  There  is  ample  pasturage  and 
water  over  large  areas  of  the  upland  departments  to  support  many 
times  the  number  of  sheep  now  grazing  there. 

The  wool  taken  from  these  sheep  is  short,  the  clip  from  each 
animal  averaging  little-  more  than  2  pounds  of  washecl  wool.  The 
sheep  are  generally  sheared  once  every  two  or  three  years.  A  sharp- 
ened piece  of  glass  or  tin  is  used  for  the  operation,  and  the  natives 
refuse  to  adopt  the  use  of  shears.  A  lot  of  a  hundred  shears,  which 
were  brought  into  the  country  a  few  years  ago,  found  no  sale,  even 
though  the  importer  made  a  personal  demonstration  of  their  use. 

LLAMAS. 

There  are  probably  half  a  million  llamas  in  Bolivia,  where  they 
constitute  the  traditional  pack  animal  of  the  Indian  population. 
They  are  sheared  at.  intervals  of  from  two  to  five  years,  though 
many  are  never  sheared  until  after  they  are  dead.  When  sheared 
every  two  years,  each  llama  gives  about  5  pounds  of  wool.  The 
wool  is  somewhat  coarse  and  is  very  dirty,  the  natives  employing  it 
very  widely  in  their  weaving.  Llama  wool  brings  about  the  same 
price  in  Bolivia  as  unwashed  sheep's  wool. 


150 


BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    WD    IXDI'STRIAI.    1 1  AXIH'.OOK. 


ALPACAS. 

There  arc  probably  aboul  200,000  alpacas  in  Bolivia,  though  no 
effort  has  ever  been  made  by  the  Government  to  take  a  census  of 
either  the  alpacas  or  the  llamas  in  the  Republic.  The  animal  belongs 
to  the  same  family  as  the  llama  and  the  vicuna,  but  its  legs  are 
shorter  than  those  of  tin1  llama.  The  alpaca  flourishes  only  in  cer- 
tain districts,  the  most  favorable  to  its  growth  being  the  region 
about  Lake1  Titicaca  and  the  Province  of  Carangas  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  OrUTO.  The  centers  of  the  alpaca  wool  trade  are  Charana 
and  Puerto  Acosta.  The  former  town  lies  on  the  line  of  the  Arica- 
La  Paz  Railway  at  the  point  where  it  crosses  the  border  into  Chile, 
and  serves  as  the  outlet  for  the  alpaca  wool  supply  of  the  Carangas 
country.  Puerto  Acosta  is  situated  on  Lake  Titicaca.  The  Bolivian 
Government  has  been  desirous  of  stimulating  the  raising  of  alpaca-, 
and  a  few  years  ago  gave  a  concession  for  that  purpose  to  an  Ameri- 
can named  Thaumann.  The  Bolivian  Wool  Co.,  which  was  organ- 
ized by  Thaumann,  was  later  acquired  by  the  British  firm  of  Duncan, 
Fox  &  Co.,  of  La  Paz,  but  nothing  has  been  done  to  comply  with  the 
terms  of  the  concession  beyond  the  maintenance  of  a  single  alpaca 
on  the  property  near  Lake  Titicaca,  which  was  originally  granted  to 
the  company.  Most  of  the  herds  of  alpacas  belong  to  Indians,  who 
give  them  little  attention,  but  who  at  least  understand  the  peculi- 
arities of  the  animal  and  are  able  to  domesticate  it.  A  more  careful 
study  of  alpaca  raising  has  been  made  in  the  Arequipa  district  of 
Peru  than  has  been  made  in  Bolivia. 

It  is  customary  to  shear  the  herds  every  two  years,  though  many 
are  sheared  at  much  longer  intervals — even  of  five  years.  About  10 
pounds  of  wool  is  generally  sheared  from  a  single  alpaca.  The  most 
common  colors  are  the  various  shades  of  browTn.  Blacks  are  also 
common,  but  the  white  animals  are  much  rarer.  In  addition  to 
their  use  as  material  for  clothing,  rugs  are  made  of  alpaca  skins. 
These  rugs,  which  are  used  as  bed  coverings,  sell  for  100  to  200 
bolivianos,  depending  on  size  and  color.  The  alpaca  is  sometimes 
crossed  with  the  llama,  the  wool  of  the  hybrid  animal  being  sold  as 
alpaca  wool.  A  small  clip  of  alpaca  wool  was  anticipated  in  Bolivia 
in  1920,  since  the  Indians  refuse  to  shear  their  herds  when  their 
Crops  are  good. 

WOOL  TRADE. 

Exports  of  wool  from   Bolivia  for  the  period  from   1911    to  dune. 

1919,  were  as  follows: 


5  eai  . 

Shoe] 

wool. 

Vlpaca  wool. 

Llama  wool. 

Kilns. 

1     ill  IS. 

Hnii\  lanos. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

1911 

16,956 

17.(117 
21,360 
31,798 

.V.,  s7.( 

mi.  no 

157,926 

■ 

12,284 

li,  190 
18,679 

•J:".,  138 

61,561 
91,269 

i    139  i  12 

17 

1,670 

24,912 

77,  131 

127,281 
191,806 
101,779 

17 
14,010 
74,736 

16  !  i.' 
208,913 

341,97  i 

ni  i   

1. 199 
1 1,973 
II,  146 
67,  194 

i  Hi.  :.7 1 
L28,872 

3,:c.'i 

I'M  , 

ii. 



pur         

i'i'-  

1919  ...                 

198,  513 
105,990 

STOCK   RAISING. 

Exports  by  countries  for  1918  were  as  follows: 


151 


Kinds  of  wool  and  countries  of  destination. 


Sheep  wool: 

United  States. 

Great  Britain. 

Chile 

France 

Argentina 

Pern 

Alpaca  wool: 

Great  Britain. 

Chile 

United  States. 

I'eru 

Llama  wool: 

Chile 

Great  Britain 

United  States 


382, 433 
261,889 

30. 542 

28. 543 
22,040 

130 

102, 7S8 

79,686 

9,238 

94 

53,418 
51,710 
41,446 


Bolivianos. 


726, 651 

352, 301 

9,177 

28, 543 

22, 263 

165 

242, 492 

69,315 

24,927 

240 

40,965 
81,341 
76,207 


Percentage. 


63.80 

30.91 

.81 

2.51 

1.96 

.01 

72.66 

20.27 

7.00 

.07 

20.63 
40.97 
38.40 


The  export  duty  on  sheep  and  llama  wool  amounts  to  20  centavos 
per  kilo,  and  for  alpaca  wool  the  duty  is  30  centavos  per  kilo. 

Imports  of  woolen  goods  into  Bolivia  are  shown  in  the  following 
tables : 

CASHMERES. 


By  years. 

By  countries,  1918. 

Years.                              Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Countries. 

Bolivianos. 

1914                                                               45,043 

156,542 
131,104 
118,655 
275,426 
403,875 

262,687 

1915 50,233 

1916 40,917 

1917                                                             108,518 

51,082 
46,605 
9,649 

1918 168,190 

BAYETAS"  (BAIZES). 


1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 
1918 


252, 632 

92,726 

102,278 

77,186 

65,916 


651,815 
240, 521 
254,923 
202, 160 
173,225 


Great  Britain 163,806 

Peru  6,892 

Chi'e  2>509 


WOOLENS,  IN  GENERAL. 


1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 
1918 


64,079 
4,953 
32,559 
17,291 
19,567 


Argentina 

Great  Britain 
United  States 
Spain 


10,512 
3,212 
2,901 
2,442 


WOOLENS  MIXED  WITH  COTTON. 


75,650 

631 

511 

1,136 

2,510 

161,421 
2,986 
1,941 
4,317 
9,239 

7,852 

1915 

699 

1916 

1917 

1918 

152         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

HOGS. 

The  raising  of  hogs  has  been  little  developed  in  Bolivia,  in  spite  of 
the  fact  i luii  Bome  regions,  both  on  the  altiplano  and  in  the  eastern 
plains  country,  arc  excellently  adapted  to  them.  They  should  do 
especially  well  in  the  region  about  Lake  Titicaca,  in  the  Cochabamba 
and  Sucre  districts,  and  in  the  Santa  Cruz  and  Beni  plains.  Manx 
of  the  hogs  now  raised  run  to  bone  rather  than  to  meat,  though  the 
problem  of  feeding  them  should  not  be  a  difficult  one.  The  natives 
are  little  accustomed  to  the  eating  of  pork.  In  1918,  137  hogs  were 
exported  to  Argentina,  and  only  11  hogs  were  imported.  Imports 
of  lard  in  the  same  year  amounted  to  353,373  kilos,  of  which  181,191 
kilos  came  from  Brazil  and  87,340  kilos  from  the  United  States. 

GOATS. 

Goats  could  be  raised  with  great  success  in  the  "montana"  region, 
particularly  in  the  Yungas,  and  in  Chuquisaca  and  Tarija.  Great 
numbers  of  them  could  pasture  on  the  mountainsides  of  the  Yungas. 
where  at  present  the  people  suffer  from  the  lack  of  a  meat  diet.  In 
1918,  400  goats  were  imported  into  the  Department  of  Tarija  from 
Argentina. 

BURROS,  MULES,  AND  HORSES. 

Burros  and  mules  are  used  in  large  numbers  for  pack-train  work 
in  Bolivia.  Whereas  most  of  the  burros  are  bred  within  the  country, 
the  majority  of  the  mules  used  are  brought  in  from  northern  Argen- 
tina. There  is  an  excellent  opportunity  for  the  breeding  of  mules  in 
Bolivia  in  such  districts  as  the  Mizque  Valley,  southeast  of  Cocha- 
bamba,  and  in  some  parts  of  Santa  Cruz,  Chuquisaca,  and  Tarija. 

Little  attention  is  given  to  the  raising  of  horses  in  Bolivia.  They 
do  not  thrive  on  the  high  altiplano,  and  in  the  plains  country  they 
suffer  from  the  disease  known  as  "mal  de  Cadera"  or  "peste  de 
lomo,"  which  attacks  the  spinal  cord  and  is  generally  fatal.  They 
are  little  used  for  farm  work,  most  of  which  is  performed  by  oxen, 
and  few  are  kept  for  riding,  for  which  purpose  the  hardier  and  more 
sure-footed  mule  is  everywhere  preferred.  However,  a  few  hundred 
horses  are  used  by  the  army.  In  parts  of  eastern  Bolivia  bullocks 
are  much  ridden.  During  1918,  21,702  horses  and  mules  were 
imported  into  Bolivia,  the  great  majority  of  them  coming  from 
Argentina. 

FUR-BEARING  ANIMALS. 

The  principal  fur-bearing  animals  of  Bolivia  comprise  the  vicuna, 
chinchilla,  and  fox.  The  vicuna,  a  wild  member  of  the  same  family 
to  which  tin;  llama  and  alpaca  belong,  is  found  among  the  mountains 
throughout  the  plateau  country,  though  in  diminishing  numbers. 
It  is  much  smaller  than  either  (he  llama  or  alpaca  and  has  a  very 
fine,  silky  wool  of  a  tawny  color.  It  is  hunted  by  the  Indians,  who 
either  weave  its  wool  into  a  very  attractive  poncho  or  use  it>  skin 
for  the  manufacture  of  "colehas"  or  rugs,  which  are  much  sought 
after-  for  bed  coverings.  These  rugs,  aboul  I  by  6  feet,  now  sell  for 
lot)  to  250  bolivianos  each,  depending  on  the  part  of  the  skin  from 
which  the  piece  is  taken.  I  yum  is  the  largest  market  for  this  ami 
ot  her  classes  of  furs. 


STOCK   RAISING.  153 

The  chinchilla  is  found  in  the  more  remote  parts  of  the  Cordillera 
Occidental,  from  the  Atacama  country  in  the  south  up  to  the  Prov- 
ince of  Pacajes.  Most  of  them,  however,  live  in  the  region  of  Mount 
Tatasabaya,  in  the  Province  of  Carangas,  where  a  large  area  of 
ground  is'  covered  with  large  rocks,  among  which  the  chinchillas 
make  their  homes.  In  spite  of  the  law  prohibiting  their  taking, 
they  are  fast  disappearing,  being  trapped  by  Indians  (who  under- 
stand their  habits  and  know  their  haunts)  and  clandestinely  exported. 
There  have  been  a  few  projects  to  domesticate  them  on  "chinchilla 
farms,"  but  none  of  these  schemes  have  been  put  into  practice. 

The  animal  known  as  the  "  chinchillon  "  is  a  member  of  the  same 
family,  as  is  the  vizcacha,  though  their  fur  is  inferior  to  that  of  the 
chinchilla.  The  chinchillon  is  smaller  than  the  chinchilla,  but  the 
texture  of  its  fur  appears  quite  similar  to  the  touch  and  has  the 
same  bluish-gray  color,  though  shorter  than  the  fur  of  the  chinchilla. 

The  red  fox  is  found  in  many  parts  of  Bolivia,  and  numbers  of 
the  skins  are  sold  in  La  Paz,  especially  by  a  German  firm,  which 
does  a  good  business  in  skins  and  furs  of  various  sorts. 


AGRICULTURE. 

GENERAL  CONDITION  OF  THE  INDUSTRY. 

Agriculture  has  held  a  relatively  unimportant  place  among  Boliv- 
ian industries  as  compared  with  mining,  to  which  everything  else 
has  been  subordinated.  In  fact,  in  many  districts  farming  condi- 
tions have  improved  little,  if  any,  since  colonial  or  even  pre-Spanish 
times,  and  in  some  respects  have  positively  retrograded  from  the 
conditions  under  the  regime  of  the  Incas.  The  attention  of  the 
leading  whites  has  been  largely  given  to  mining,  or  to  politics  and 
the  professions,  and  the  agriculture  of  the  country  has  been  left 
almost  entirely  in  the  hands  of  Indian  tenants.  The  Indian  is  not 
only  impervious  to  any  progressive  ideas  that  would  go  to  improve 
tin1  agriculture  of  the  country,  but  he  lacks  even  the  paternal  direc- 
tion which  he  received  from  his  Inca  overlords  before  the  coming  of 
the  Spaniards.  Until  very  recently  the  Government  did  next  to 
nothing  for  the  industry,  and  its  efforts  at  present  are  entirely 
incommensurate  with  the  needs  of  the  country  in  this  regard.  A 
Ministry  of  Agriculture  was  created  a  few  years  ago  and  annexed  to 
the  Ministry  of  Public  Instruction.  However,  the  budget  of  1920 
provided  only  453,440  bolivianos  for  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  as 
against  11,316,444  bolivianos  for  the  army.  This  branch  of  the 
Government  is  at  present  under  energetic  and  intelligent  direction 
and  is  doing  all  within  the  power  of  its  limited  resources  to  improve 
the  backward  state  of  farming  in  the  country. 

As  throughout  most  of  South  America,  there  are  comparatively 
few  small  landed  proprietors  in  Bolivia.  Most  of  the  land  is  held 
in  large  tracts  by  men  of  predominantly  white  or  Spanish  race. 
However,  in  certain  districts  there  are  scattered  Indian  Landowners, 
and  in  some  parts,  as  in  the  Province  of  Carangas,  the  communal 
system  of  land  ownership  still  survives.  Here  the  title  to  huge 
areas  has  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  who  jealously  guard 
their  rights  to  the  land.  The  tenant  or  farm-labor  class  everywhere 
consists  of  Indians  or  low-caste  cholos.  The  status  of  these  tenants 
varies  considerably  from  place  to  place.  There  is  Little  positive  ill- 
treatment  of  this  class,  though  the  major-domos  who  administer 
i  In'  estates  in  the  absence  of  the  owners  maj  sometimes  be  guilty 
of  abuses.  The  tenant  turns  over  to  the  owner  a  certain  proportion 
til'  the  year's  product,  varying  from  one-fifth  to  one-third,  lie  is 
generally  free  to  dispose  of  his  own  share  of  tile  proceeds  as  he  pleases. 
lie  also  generally  lias  his  own  "  chacra  "  or  small  plot  of  ground, 
where  he  raises  enough   food   to  supply  tin*  needs  of  himself  and  his 

family. 

Not  only  is  the  Indian  farmer  by  nature  impervious  to  suggestions 
for  improving  his  farming  methods,  but  he  bitterly  resents  any 
attempt  t<»  change  his  traditional  ways,  even  to  his  own  manifest 
advantage.  The  Aymarfl  of  the  La  Paz  region  is  particularly  con- 
servative in  tin-  regard.     A  lew  years  ago  a  young  Landowner,  who 

154 


AGRICULTURE.  155 

had  studied  abroad,  attempted  to  put  into  practice  on  his  estate  on 
the  altiplano  the  modern  method  he  had  learned  in  a  foreign  agri- 
cultural school.  However,  his  reforms  provoked  an  uprising  of  the 
"indiada"  on  his  lands  and  his  own  murder  in  his  country  house, 
which  was  destroyed  by  the  infuriated  Indians. 

Yet  there  is  an  increasing  tendency  among  the  wealthier  pro- 
prietors to  send  their  sons  abroad,  especially  to  the  United  States, 
for  an  agricultural  education.  This  realization  of  the  value  of 
applying  modern  scientific  methods  to  an  industry  that  is  still 
generally  conducted  in  medieval  fashion  is  one  of  the  most  hopeful 
signs  in  contemporary  Bolivian  life.  As"  a  complement  to  this  move- 
ment there  is  seriously  needed  a  wider  development  of  agricultural 
education  within  the  country.  At  present  this  is  confined  to  the 
agricultural  school  and  experiment  farm  in  process  of  formation 
near  Cochabamba  and  to  the  rural  normal  schools  like  that  at  Sacaba. 
Though  these  institutions  represent  a  splendid  conception,  they  lack 
the  equipment  and  teaching  personnel  required  to  enable  them  to 
render  the  needed  service  to  the  national  agriculture.  Moreover,  the 
mass  of  the  country  population  should  be  reached  tlirough  a  wide- 
spread system  of  rural  schools,  such  as  were  created  in  the  Philip- 
pines by  the  American  administration. 

AGRICULTURE  ON  THE  "ALTIPLANO." 

Generally  speaking,  Bolivia  may  be  divided  agriculturally  into 
three  zones — the  altiplano  or  plateau,  the  Yungas  or  montana,  and 
the  eastern  plains.  On  the  bleak  altiplano,  where  agriculture  has 
been  carried  on  since  prehistoric  times,  a  surprisingly  large  area  is 
under  cultivation.  The  level  plain  of  the  great  table-land  lends 
itself  well  to  the  growth  of  the  hardier  cereals,  such  as  barley. 
However,  with  improved  methods  and  an  extension  of  the  farming 
area,  the  production  could  be  greatly  increased  in  this  region.  Much 
of  this  country  could  be  plowed  with  tractors,  though  the  high  price 
of  fuel  oil  is  a  serious  obstacle  to  their  use.  It  must  also  be  taken 
into  consideration  that  the  high  altitude— about  12,000  feet  above 
sea  level — requires  a  special  type  of  engine  in  power  machinery.  In 
the  plains  of  Carangas,  which  lie  well  to  the  west  of  the  railway  in 
the  Department  of  Oruro,  there  are  large  tracts  of  land  that  could 
be  put  under  cultivation  and  there  are  parts  of  it  that  could  be 
irrigated  for  the  raising  of  alfalfa.  Much  of  this  land  is  free  from 
stones,  whereas  in  other  parts  of  the  "meseta"  it  is  often  necessary 
to  clear  the  ground  of  bowlders  before  cultivation  is  possible. 
Large  sections  of  the  altiplano  are  unsuited  for  agriculture  because 
of  the  alkaline  character  of  the  soil,  as  in  the  vicinity  of  Oruro  and 
of  Uyuni,.  where  the  ground  is  highly  impregnated  with  salt.  Other 
parts  are  liable  to  inundations  during  the  rainy  summer  season,  the 
water  standing  too  long  to  permit  the  maturity  of  crops  before  the 
coming  of  winter.  Though  during  the  winter  months  the  days  are 
generally  warm  and  sunny,  the  nights  are  cold  and  the  temperature 
often  falls  below  freezing.  Moreover,  during  this  time  of  the  year 
strong  winds  often  blow  off  the  cordillera  and  across  the  table-land, 
chilling  the  air  and  damaging  crops. 

The  Indians  who  dwell  In  the  mountains  utilize  all  the  land  within 
reach  for  cultivation.     Sometimes  they  will  pick  the  stones  off  a 


156        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

piece  of  ground,  and  use  them  to  build  an  inclosure  around  the  plot 
thus  cleared,  in  order  to  protect  their  crop  of  barley  against  the 
wind  and  roving  animals.  In  many  places  among  the  mountains 
the  traveler  will  see  patches  of  cultivated  land  high  above  the  trail 
on  the  mountainside,  where  the  slope  is  so  steep  that  a  foothold 
would  scarcely  seem  possible.  In  one  valley  of  the  montafia  region 
a  native  landowner  facetiously  remarked  to  the  writer  that  corn  was 
planted  thereabouts  with  a  snotgun  fired  from  below  and  harvested 
from  a  rope  ladder  let  down  from  above. 

A  census  taken  in  1914  by  the  prefectural  administration  of  the 
Province  of  Cercado,  Department  of  Oruro,  will  give  an  idea  of  the 


■part  nn 
that  pa 


extent  of  agriculture  in  that  part  of  the  plateau: 

Area  of  Province hectares. .  514, 300 

Area  under  cultivation do....  8,  54] 

Value  of  land bolivianos. .  2,389,  500 

Income  from  land do 259,  592 

Numlior  of  properties 100 

Harvest  fur  year: 

Barley.'. , . . . quintals. .  141,  250 

Potatoes do 78,  902 

Chuno  (desiccated  potatoes) do 39,  687 

Quinua do 7,  893 

DEPARTMENT  OF  COCHABAMBA. 

CLASSES  OF  LANDS— AREAS  CULTIVATED  AND  INCOME  DERIVED. 

Agriculture  is  most  highly  developed  in  Bolivia  in  the  valleys 
lying  below  an  altitude  of  10,000  feet  above  sea  level.  The  mosl 
advanced  farming  region  is  that  of  Cochabamba,  which  is  essentially 
an  agricultural  country,  mining  occupying  a  comparatively  unim- 
portant place  among  the  industries  of  the  Department.  The  harvests 
of  1920  in  this  district  were  exceptionally  large.  In  general,  the 
agricultural  lands  of  the  Department  of  Cochabamba  may  be  divided 
into  four  classes — mountain,  valley,  Yungas,  and  tropical  lowlands. 
The  first  class  consists  of  the  patches  of  land  on  the  sides  and  summits 
of  the  mountains,  where  the  Indians  grow  barley  and  a  few  potatoes 
and  quinua — crops  adapted  to  the  rigorous  climate  of  the  higher 
altitudes.  The  second  class  of  lands,  on  which  most  of  the  agricul- 
ture of  the  Department  is  carried  on,  consists  of  fertile  valleys, 
where  the  extent  of  cultivable  land  and  the  conditions  of  soil  and 
climate  combine  the  elements  favorable  to  an  intensive  farming 
development. 

The  Yungas  region,  lying  between  the  highlands  and  the  plains  of 
the  Beni,  has  been  little  developed,  though  its  valleys  are  highly 
favorable  to  the  cultivation  of  such  plants  as  coffee,  cacao,  and 
tobacco.  At  present  its  principal  product,  and  the  only  one  to 
whose  cultivation  any  attention  is  given,  is  coca,  mosl  of  the  output 
being  chewed  by  the  natives  of  the  Department.  Below  the  region 
<>f  the  Yungas  the  plains  that  stretch  away  to  the  Department  of 
the   Beni   are   adapted   to   the  cultivation  of  sugar  cane,  cotton,   and 

rice.  However,  agriculture  at  present  in  this  area  is  largely  limited 
to  the  fields  about  the  Franciscan  missions,  cultivated  by  the 
Yuracare  neophytes  under  the  direction  of  the  friars,  hut  the  results 
obtained  even  on  this  restricted  scale  have  demonstrated  the  larger 
possibilities  of  the  region. 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  15.— PRIMITIVE  MACHINE  FOR  CRUSHING  SUGAR  CANE. 


igSBMBSK 


FIG.  16.— THRASHING   PEAS   IN  THE  COCHABAMBA   REGION. 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  17.— COCA  TERRACES   IN  THE  YUNGAS,   BEFORE   HARVEST. 


J* 


%*>+ 


FIG.  18.— COCA  TERRACES,  AFTER   HARVEST. 


AGRICULTURE. 


157 


The  total  area  under  cultivation  in  the  Department  in  1919  was 
estimated  at  2,605,982  hectares.  The  total  income  from  this  area, 
as  computed  for  the  purposes  of  levying  the  small  land  tax  of  the 
Department,  was  calculated  at  3,195,783  bolivianos,  or  over 
$1,000,000.  Though  considerable  allowance  must  be  made  for  this 
figure,  in  view  of  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  drawn  up,  even 
trebling  the  figure  would  give  an  absurdly  small  return  for  such  a 
large  area.  The  official  figure  would  show  an  average  income  of 
less  than  $1  an  acre,  yet  as  much  as  $400  an  acre  is  asked  for  some 
of  the  farming  land  in  the  valley  of  Cochabamba.  The  extent  of 
cultivated  land  and  the  income  from  this  land  during  1919  in  each 
Province  was  as  follows,  according  to  official  data: 


Punata. . 
Arani . . . 
Cliza.... 
.Mizque.. 
Campero 
Totora . . 
Ayopaya 
Tapacari 


Estimated 
area  under 
cultivation. 


Hectares. 
20, 434 
39, 725 
11,513 
135, 730 
894,647 
498, 047 
780, 500 
39, 179 


Income  as 

given  tor 

assessment 

of  land  tax. 


Bolivianos. 
339, 243 
221,514 
169, 941 
82,618 
101,050 
113,977 
201,098 
103, 240 


Quillacollo. 
Capinota... 

Arque 

Tarata 

Chapare 

Cercado  — 

Total 


Estimated 
area  under 
cultivation. 


Hectares. 
36, 554 
16, 646 
27, 158 
70, 376 
20, 593 
14, 780 


2, 605, 882 


Income  as 

given  for 

assessment 

of  land  tax 


Bolivianos. 
739, 015 
163, 466 
125,385 
309, 737 
260, 532 
264,968 


3, 195, 784 


The  highest  returns  are  shown  by  the  Province  of  Quillacollo, 
where  irrigation  is  used  on  a  large  scale.  The  Provinces  of  Cercado 
(this  Province  comprising  the  environs  of  Cochabamba),  Punata,  and 
Cliza  show  a  relatively  high  return  from  the  land.  The  Province  of 
Mizque,  which  contains  some  very  fertile  valleys,  was  formerly  much 
more  productive  and  prosperous  than  at  present,  its  decline  being 
largely  due  to  the  ravages  of  terciana,  or  intermittent  fever,  which 
caused  the  decimation  of  the  population  and  the  emigration  of  many 
of  the  survivors  to  more  healthful  districts. 


NEED  FOR  EXTENSION  OF  IRRIGATION. 


The  rainfall  in  the  Department,  as  throughout  Bolivia,  is  seasonal, 
most  of  it  falling  during  the  months  from  November  to  April,  and 
little  or  none  falling  during  the  remainder  of  the  year,  especially  in 
the  winter  months  of  June,  July,  and  August.  During  the  dry, 
winter  season,  the  rivers  shrink  to  small  proportions,  and  some  of  the 
smaller  streams  dry  up  altogether.  Though  it  is  always  warm  in  the 
sunshine,  the  temperature  in  the  valleys  about  Cochabamba  may  fall 
to  freezing  during  the  midwinter  nights.  At  this  time  of  the  year  the 
country  presents  a  dry  and  parched  appearance  except  where  irri- 
gation is  practiced. 

Such  streams  as  the  Rocha  furnish  water  for  irrigating  part  of  the 
land,  and  numerous  small  mountain  torrents  are  canalized  and  led 
out  across  the  fields  in  the  valleys.  Irrigation  is  used  to  the  largest 
extent  in  the  Quillacollo  Valley,  but  it  is  also  resorted  to,  as  far  as 
the  available  water  supply  will  permit,  in  other  valleys  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Cochabamba.  However,  it  is  probable  that  not  more  than 
10  or  12  per  cent  of  the  cultivable  area  of  these  valleys  is  under  irri- 


158        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    [NDUSTBIAL   HANDBOOK. 

gation.  Ad  extension  of  the  irrigated  area  of  the  district  would 
greatly  increase  production,  and  a  company  of  engineers  is  now 
studying  a  large  project  for  the  irrigation  of  the  Punata  and  Sacaba 
Valleys.  These  men,  who  are  working  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Bolivia  Railway  Co.,  are  investigating  the  supph  of  water  in  the 
small  lakes  and  lagoons  in  pockets  in  the  surrounding  mountains, 
particularly  in  the  vicinity  01  Vacas. 

RAISING  OF  CORN— MANUFACTURE  OF  "CHICHA." 

Corn  is  the  principal  crop  in  the  Cochabamba  Valley.  Both  new 
seed  and  better  methods  of  cultivation  are  greatly  needed.  Though 
corn  generally  grows  to  a  good  height,  there  is  seldom  more  than  one 
ear  to  a  stalk,  and  the  ears  are  rarely  over  8  inches  long.  However, 
the  grain  is  usually  large.  As  the  corn  is  planted  at  intervals  of  6  to 
10  inches,  the  field  can  be  plowed  only  one  way.  The  price  of  corn 
varies  during  the  year  between  (>  and  12  bolivianos  per  Spanish 
quintal.  The  crop  for  1920  in  the  immediate  district  of  Cochabamba 
is  estimated  at  about  500,000  quintals. 

Probably  75  per  cent  of  the  production  of  corn  is  used  in  the  manu- 
facture of  ''  chicha."  the  native  drink  made  by  a  processof  fermenta- 
tion. There  are  more  than  1,500  chicha-making  establishments  in 
the  Department,  most  of  which  operate  on  a  very  small  scale.  Within 
the  municipal  limits  of  Cochabamba  there  are  almost  1,400  "chi- 
cherias,"  or  places  where  "chicha"  is  dispensed.  These  are  nearly 
always  run  by  women,  who  pay  an  annual  license  of  5  bolivianos  to 
the  city  government.  The  drink,  which  has  a  muddy,  yellowish- 
brown  appearance  and  the  taste  of  bad  cider,  is  more  or  less  intoxi- 
cating, depending  largely  on  the  degree  of  fermentation.  Though 
normally  little  drunkenness  results  from  chicha  drinking,  over- 
indulgence on  the  occasion  of  the  frequent  feast  days  leads  to  wide- 
spread intoxication  in  the  community. 

The  corn  that  is  not  consumed  in  the  making  of  chicha  is  ground 
into  flour  or  used  for  feeding  stock.  The  possibilities  of  corn  as  an 
article  of  diet  for  man  have  been  little  developed,  and  the  food  value 
of  corn  bread  is  little  appreciated. 

WHEAT  PRODUCTION— POSSIBILITIES  OF  FLOUR-MILLING  INDUSTRY. 

Wheat  of  good  grain  and  head  is  produced  in  considerable  quantity, 
though  the  production  per  acre  is  not  large.  The  wheat  crop  is 
harvested  with  the  sickle  and  thrashed  by  driving  oxen  owv  the 
straw.  Though  most  of  the  wheat  is  ground  in  the  Department. 
some  of  tin'  crop  is  sent  to  other  points  in  Bolivia.  There  are 
numerous  small  Hour  mills,  located  near  the  base  of  the  mountains, 
where  the  water  power  from  mountain  streams  is  utilized  to  operate 
a  stone  burr.  The  most  modern  mill  in  the  Department  is  that  of 
the  Kmpresa  Luz  y  Fuer/.a.  which  i>  situated  within  the  city  of 
Cochabamba.  There  is  one  other  mill  of  a  similar  character.  The 
(lour  made  by  ilic  smaller  concerns  is  coarse,  and  some  of  it  contains 
a    fair  proportion   of  bran.      Except    in    the  case  of  the   bet  ter-grade 

Hour  produced  by  the  two  modern!}  equipped  mills,  the  local  product 
is  mixed  with  imported  Chilean  Hour.  There  should  be  a  good 
held  for  flour  nulling  on  a  large  and  modern  scale  in  the  Locality  of 
Cochabamba,  where  sufficienl  water  power  is  available   and  where 


AGRICULTURE.  159 

the  area  sown  to  wheat  could  he  greatly  increased.  The  price  of 
wheat  ranges  from  10  to  14  bolivianos  per  quintal.  Imports  of 
flour  and  wheat  from  Chile  alone  during  1918  amounted  to,  res- 
spectively,  13,806,775  and  318,575  kilos,'  having  a  total  customs 
value  of  about  2,230,000  bolivianos.  It  is  understood  thata  British 
importing  firm  plans  the  establishment  of  a  large  flour  mill  in 
Cochabamba. 

LARGE  ACREAGE  OF  BARLEY— OTHER  PRODUCTS. 

Barley  is  grown  not  only  in  the  mountains,  where  no  other  cereal 
will  grow,  but  also  in  the  valleys,  where  the  total  acreage  planted 
to  it  is  large.  Almost  the  entire  production  is  consumed  in  the  making 
of  beer  and  alcohol,  though  the  straw  is  widely  used  for  feeding  stock. 
Barley  brings  from  6  to  11  bolivianos  per  quintal.  During  1919 
there  were  manufactured  23,092,000  liters  of  alcohol  from  cereals, 
both  barley  and  wheat,  in  the  Department  of  Cochabamba,  while 
about  double  this  amount  was  made  from  sugar  cane. 

Oats  are  grown,  but  to  a  much  smaller  extent  than  either  wheat 
or  barley.  Quinua,  a  hardy  cereal  with  a  small,  round  grain,  is 
raised  on  very  limited  areas,  and  since  animals  will  not  touch  the 
plant,  it  is  grown  around  cornfields  to  keep  out  roaming  stock. 
The  grain  makes  a  nourishing  soup. 

Sugar  cane,  which  is  grown  in  some  of  the  lower  and  warmer 
valleys  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  Department,  is  used  in  the  manu- 
facture of  alcohol.  The  area  which  could  be  planted  to  cane  in  the 
tropical  lowlands  is  almost  unlimited.  Sugar  beets  should  also  do 
very  well  in  the  valleys  about  Cochabamba. 

Potatoes  are  the  most  important  vegetable  grown  and,  though  of 
good  flavor,  are  of  small  size.  Sweet  potatoes,  squashes,  onions, 
radishes,  beets,  peppers,  and  a  few  native  vegetables,  such  as  oca, 
are  raised,  but  the  market  gardening  shares  in  the  general  backward- 
ness of  agriculture  in  this  district. 

FRUIT  GROWING. 

The  same  backward  condition  prevails  as  regards  fruit  growing. 
The  region  of  Cochabamba  is  well  suited  to  the  raising  of  a  wide 
variety  of  fruits,  especially  with  a  larger  use  of  irrigation,  but  under 
the  present  system  orchards  are  left  uncared  for,  with  the  natural 
result  that  the  trees  and  fruit  deteriorate.  Pruning  is  almost  un- 
known, but  fortunately  pests  are  not  common,  so  spraying  is  seldom 
necessary.  The  results  obtained  on  a  small  experimental  farm  in 
Sacaba,  where  some  fruit  of  excellent  quality  is  grown,  have  shown 
the  fruit-culture  possibilities  of  the  Cochabamba  region. 

The  grapes  grown  in  the  valleys  around  Cochabamba,  though 
generally  sweet,  are  small  and  of  poor  appearance.  About  20,000 
liters  of  wine  are  produced  yearly  by  one  firm  at  Muyurina.  How- 
ever, this  wine  is  still  of  inferior  quality,  and  considerable  quantities 
of  adulterated  Chilean  wine  are  imported  for  the  local  market. 
Peaches,  which  are  the  fruit  most  widely  -grown,  are  small  and  of 
very  poor  quality,  as  are  also  the  apples  and  pears  raised  in  this 
locality.  Oranges  do  well  even  without  any  care  being  given  to  the 
trees,  and  the  fruit  is  juicy  and  of  good  flavor,  though  small.  Figs 
and  several  tropical  fruits  peculiar  to  South  America,  such  as  the 
chirimoya,  are  also  found  in  all  the  Cochabamba  valleys. 


160        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 
PRIMITIVE  AGRICULTURAL  METHODS. 

Though  this  region  is  the  most  highly  developed  agricultural 
district  in  Bolivia,  its  superiority  in  this  respect  is  only  relative,  for 
agriculture  here,  as  everywhere  in  Bolivia,  is  in  a  backward  state. 
The  position  which  Cochabamba  holds  in  relation  to  the  other 
Departments  is  largely  due  to  the  superior  natural  conditions  found 
there.  The  natives,  when  left  to  themselves,  usually  farm  as  in  the 
days  of  the  Incas.  The  "  estanciero "  is  too  generally  content  with 
the  income  which  the  traditional  methods  bring  in  to  improve  these, 
while  in  many  cases  he  spends  too  large  a  part  of  the  year  at  his 
city  residence  to  give  proper  attention  to  the  direction  of  his  ,-  linca" 
in  the  country.  Moreover,  the  major-domo  who  manages  the 
farm  in  the  owner's  absence  often  has  little,  if  any,  better  idea  of 
modern  farming  than  have  the  Indian  peons.  The  same  crop  is 
grown  on  the  same  ground  year  after  year  without  recourse  to  either 
fertilizers  or  rotation. 

The  farmer  gets  along  with  a  minimum  of  tools  and  implements, 
and  these  are  usually  of  the  pattern  used  by  his  ancestors  for  genera- 
tions. They  consist  of  a  heavy  hoe,  a  sickle  for  harvesting  grain, 
and  a  rude  wooden  plow.  A  machete,  generally  of  American  make, 
is  widely  used  for  cutting  corn.  A  light,  one-handled  iron  plow,  also 
made  in  the  United  States,  is  finding  favor  among  the  farmers  of 
the  region  and  can  be  had  for  45  bolivianos.  Agents  for  the  plow 
recently  sold  more  than  two  dozen  in  a  week.  There  is  no  market 
for  heavy  plows.  One  importer  who  brought  in  some  large  riding 
plows,  requiring  about  five  mules  to  pull  them,  was  unable  to  make  a 
sale. 

PROSPECTIVE  MARKET  FOR  SIMPLE  AGRICULTURAL  MACHINERY. 

There  is  little  or  no  demand  for  tractor  plows  and  tractors  in 
general,  even  though  the  Cochabamba  valleys  are  well  suited  to 
their  use.  In  addition  to  the  high  original  cost  of  tractors,  fuel  is 
expensive,  and  there  are,  moreover,  few  peons  capable  of  operating 
or  repairing  them.  In  fact,  in  considering  Bolivia  as  a  market  for 
agricultural  machinery,  the  general  lack  of  mechanical  ability  among 
all  classes  must  be  borne  in  mind.  This  factor  makes  simplicity  a 
prime  requisite  in  farming  machinery.  In  case  more  complicated 
implements  are  sold,  the  agent  must  be  able  to  show  the  farmer  how 
to  operate  them. 

There  is  no  doubt  that,  if  the  proper  methods  were  used,  a  con- 
siderable market  for  agricultural  machinery  could  be  worked  up,  in 
spite  of  the  conservatism  of  the  farmers  and  the  cheapness  of  Labor. 
This  market  should  include  such  implements  as  disk  harrows,  corn 
planters,  mowers,  hayrakes,  light  hay  presses,  and  even  reapers,  in 
addition  to  plows  thai  can  be  drawn  by  a  yoke  of  oxen.  The  best- 
equipped  farming  property  in  the  Cochabamba  district  is  located 
near  I'linata.  and  is  fitted  up  with  a  complete  line  of  modern  Ameri- 
can farming  machinery  .  even  to  a  thrasher;  and  though  the  inevitable 
difficulty  of  securing  competent  help  bo  operate  the  implements  has 

been   experienced,    the   results   have    been,    on    the   whole,   very  satis- 
factory. 


AGRICULTURE.  161 


FARMS  WORKED  BY  INDIAN  TENANTS. 


In  the  tropical  plains  country  the  land  is  held  in  large  blocks  by  a 
comparatively  few  owners.  The  actual  work  on  the  farms  is  per- 
formed by  the  Indian  tenants.  The  rigid  caste  line  between  the 
upper,  or  white,  and  the  lower,  or  Indian,  classes  prevents  the  former 
from  indulgence  in  manual  labor.  The  Indian,  who  is  seldom  an 
independent  proprietor,  usually  turns  over  a  third  of  what  he  raises 
to  the  landlord,  though  the  proportion  varies  on  different  fincas.  He 
has  also  further  well-defined  obligations  to  the  landlord,  such  as 
caring  for  the  latter's  garden  patch  or  working  at  the  town  house 
whenever  his  services  are  needed  there. 

There  is  little  ill  treatment  of  tenants,  whose  wants  are  few  and 
easily  satisfied.  The  Indian's  lot  is,  in  fact,  far  better  than  that  of 
the  ill-clad  and  half-starved  Aymara  of  the  "  altiplano."  He  has 
plenty  to  eat,  though  there  is  little  variety  in  his  diet.  The  mild 
climate  makes  his  clothing  a  simple  matter  and  simplifies  his  housing 
problem.  He  generally  lives  in  a  hut  made  of  adobe  bricks,  which 
Form  the  chief  building  material  throughout  the  Cochabamba  valleys. 
Whatever  troubles  he  may  have  he  is  prone  to  drown  in  ample  pota- 
tions of  "chicha."  However,  his  fellows  a  few  hours  above  in  the 
mountains  lead  the  same  wretched  and  narrow  existence  as  do  the 
Indians  of  the  Oruro  and  La  Paz  highlands,  where  life  is  a  constant 
struggle  with  a  most  unfavorable  environment. 

MARKETING  OF  FARM  PRODUCTS. 

Though  most  of  the  agricultural  products  raised  are  consumed 
locally,  considerable  quantities  are  sent  out  to  the  Oruro  and  Uyuni 
districts  and  to  other  parts  of  the  altiplano  unsuited  to  farming. 
Recently  the  Department  has  begun  to  export  foodstuffs  to  the  mining 
camp  of  Chuquicamata,  in  Chile.  The  local  trade  is  conducted  by 
means  of  public  markets,  which  are  found  in  all  the  towns  of  the 
district,  as  well  as  at  the  weekly  fairs  to  which  the  country  people 
bring  their  farm  produce  and  cattle. 

REGION  OF  SUCRE. 

Although  there  are  no  large  expanses  of  agricultural  lands  in  the 
region  of  Sucre,  as  there  are  in  Cochabamba,  all  the  available  lands 
in&the  numerous  valleys  of  the  district  are  utilized  for  farming.  The 
soil  of  these  valleys  is  generally  fertile  and  the  climate  highly  favor- 
able to  the  growth  of  crops.  Methods  are  very  antiquated,  and  the 
most  advanced  implement  used  anywhere  is  a  light  steel  plow, 
usually  of  American  make.  Corn  is  raised  on  a  considerable  scale, 
but  most  of  the  production  is  utilized  in  the  making  of  "chicha," 
the  native  drink.  Barley,  wheat,  and  oats  are  also  grown — much 
land  that  is  unsuitable  for  any  other  purpose  being  sowed  to  barley. 
The  wheat  produced  is  ground  into  flour  in  Sucre.  The  best  tobacco 
in  Bolivia  is  grown  in  the  Province  of  Azero,  whence  it  is  carried  to 
Sucre  to  be  made  into  cigarettes  in  the  factory  of  the  "estanco." 
All  the  tobacco  is  grown  from  old  native  seed.  Although  sugar  cane 
is  produced  in  the  low  valleys  a  few  miles  east  of  Sucre,  it  is  nearly 
all  utilized  in  the  making  of  alcohol,  while  the  sugar  used  in  Sucre 

44462°— 21 11 


162         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    WI>    I XI  H'STRIAL    1 1  AXM'.OOK. 

is  largely  imported  from  Peru.  The  region,  moreover,  i<  well  suited 
to  the  growing  of  fruit;  oranges,  grapes,  and  peaches  are  grown  in 
relatively  large  quantities.  Because  of  the  deterioration  of  the 
stock  of  trees  and  because  of  the  lack  of  care  of  them,  the  quality 
of  the  fruit  is  rather  poor. 

AGRICULTURE  IN  THE  YUNGAS. 

Agriculture  is  the  most  important  industry  of  the  Yungas,  hut  it 

is  still  on  a  relatively  small  scale,  owing  to  the  lack  of  large  areas 
of  level  ground.  Practically  all  the  farming  is  done  on  the  mountain 
sides,  although  some  narrow  strips  of  land  bordering  on  the  streams 
and  subject  to  inundation  are  cultivated.  In  many  places  the  sides 
of  the  mountains  present  a  checkerboard  appearance,  where  they 
are  covered  with  patches  of  coca  and  other  crops.  About  Chulumani 
and  in  a  few  other  parts  of  the  neighboring  country  there  are  large 
basins  among  the  mountains,  practically  all  of  which  are  under 
cultivation,  even  to  the  very  tops  of  the  mountains. 

The  greater  part  of  the  land  in  the  Yungas  is  held  by  a  compara- 
tively small  number  of  owners,  most  of  whom  reside  in  La  Paz  and 
intrust  the  management  of  their  estate  to  a  major-domo.  Though 
there  are  a  few  independent  proprietors  among  the  Indians,  some  of 
whom  have  accumulated  fortunes  of  25,000  to  50,000  bolivianos  in 
the  coca  business,  the  majority  of  the  natives  are  tenants  without 
any  independent  resources.  Some  of  the  Yungas  estates  have  an 
Indian  population  of  150  to  250  workers. 

ESTATE  OF  SINDICATO  DE  BOLIVIA. 

The  largest  single  property  in  the  Yungas  is  the  Cafiamina  estate 
of  the  Sindicato  de  Bolivia,  a  company  with  offices  in  La  Paz.  This 
huge  hacienda,  which  has  an  area  of  about  300,000  hectares,  or 
nearly  750,000  acres,  lies  on  a  branch  of  the  Rio  de  La  Paz  and  in 
the  Province  of  Inquisivi.  Via  Irupana  and  Chulumani  it  is  about 
200  kilometers  (125  miles)  distant  from  La  Paz,  but  by  a  road  which 
follows  the  Rio  de  La  Paz  and  which  is  open  during  the  dry  season 
the  distance  to  La  Paz  is  about  150  kilometers  (95  milesh  It  also 
has  connections  with  the  main  line  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  over  the 
new  automobile  road  which  the  Guggenheim  Mining  Co.  has  con- 
structed from  its  Caracoles  mines  to  the  Eucalyptus  Station  of  the 
railway. 

The  altitude  of  the  property  varies  from  850  to  4,000  meters  above 
sea  level.  It  has  not  only  an  unusually  Large  extent  of  Level  ground, 
but  a  Large  area  of  timber  suitable  for  lumber.  The  principal 
industry  of  the  property  at  presenl  i->  the  growing  of  sugar  cane  for 

the  manufacture  of  alcohol,  of  which  about  120,000  liters  are  made 
annually.  There  are  also  plantations  of  coca,  and  12,000  cacao  plants 
were  recently  set  out.  A  beginning  has  been  made  in  tin-  breeding  of 
cat  tie,  and  it  is  also  proposed  to  stock  the  property  with  6,000  goats. 

This  property  is  now  being  offered  for  side  in  the  United  States  at  a 
price  of  2,000,000  bolivianos,  as  its  presenl  owners  do  not  command 
the  capital  necessary  for  the  proper  development  of  the  land. 


AGRICULTURE.  163 


CULTIVATION  OF  COCA  PLANT. 


The  cultivation  of  coca  is  the  principal  basis  of  the  agricultural 
industry  of  the  Yungas,  and  is  also  the  most  lucrative  business  of 
that  region.  There  are  no  large  plantations  of  coca,  but  it  is  grown 
on  terraces,  an  acre  or  two  in  size,  built  up  on  the  hillsides.  These 
terraces  are  about  10  inches  wide  and  are  protected  by  a  rampart  of 
earth  of  about  the  same  width  and  about  6  inches  in  height.  The 
ramparts  are  generally  faced  on  the  outside  with  stones  or  with  a 
rough  cement.  The  use  of  terraces  not  only  prevents  the  heavy 
rains  from  washing  the  whole  plantation  down  the  mountain  side 
but  it  tends  to  hold  the  moisture  about  the  roots  of  the  plants.  The 
plants  are  usually  set  at  intervals  of  from  6  to  10  inches.  The  unit 
of  measurement  tor  lands  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  coca  is  the 
cato,  which  is  equivalent  to  about  one-fourth  of  a  hectare  or  0.62 
acre.     Coca  lands  bring  from  300  to  500  bolivianos  per  cato. 

The  coca  plant  is  a  shrub  usually  2  or  3  feet  in  height,  though, 
when  allowed  to  mature,  it  reaches  4  or  5  feet.  However,  it  is  cut 
down  to  the  ground  before  attaining  that  height,  as  the  quality  of 
the  leaves  deteriorates  with  the  height  of  the  plant,  The  young 
shoots  are  grown  under  a  cover  of  dried  banana  leaves  and  are 
transplanted  to  the  terraces.  The  plant  begins  bearing  at  2  years 
and  continues  for  about  20  years.  The  leaf,  in  which  lies  the  com- 
mercial value  of  the  plant,  is  oval  in  shape  and  light  green  in  color; 
it  is  about  Ih,  inches  long  and  about  f  inch  wide. 

Three  or  four  crops  of  leaves  are  picked  from  the  same  plants 
during  the  year.  Each  cato  planted  to  coca  will  produce  from  7  to 
14  '"cestos"  of  leaves  annually.  The  "cesto"  is  equivalent  to  about 
25  pounds.  Two  "cestos"  make  a  "tamboi\"  which  thus  contains 
about  50  pounds  of  leaves.  All  the  coca  is  packed  for  shipment  in 
units  of  1  ''tambor."  Of  the  coca  production  of  the  Department  of 
La  Paz,  the  Province  of  Nor  Yungas  produces  about  37  per  cent, 
Sur  Yungas  about  58  per  cent,  and  Inquisivi  the  rest. 

After  the  leaves  are  picked,  they  are  dried  in  the  sun  on  a  floor 
made  of  slabs  of  slate.  They  are  then  pressed  into  bales  of  uniform 
size  and  weight  (1  "tambor,"  or  50  pounds).  The  dimensions  of 
these  bales  are  about  20  by  14  by  12  inches.  .They  are  wrapped  with 
dried  banana  leaves  and  burlap  to  protect  them  against  the  weather 
and  rough  handling.  The  coca  is  carried  to  La  Paz  by  mules,  each 
mule  carrying  a  load  of  4  "tambores,"  or  about  200  pounds.  The 
price  in  La  Paz  at  the  time  the  present  report  was  written  was  about 
60  bolivianos  per  'tambor,"  or  about  47  cents  gold  per  pound. 

The  total  production  of  coca  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz  is  about 
3,700  tons  annually.  The  production  of  the  Department  of  Cocha- 
bamba  is  much  smaller,  the  10  tons  of  coca  leaves  carried  by  the 
Oruro-Cochabamba  line  during  1919  being  a  fair  index  of  the  yield 
of  the  Yungas  of  Cochabamba.  All  coca  taken  into  La  Paz  pays  a 
duty  to  the  Government  of  1.60  bolivianos  per  "tambor,"  and  the 
same  rate  is  paid  on  all  coca  shipped  out  of  the  Department,  whether 
sent  to  other  parts  of  the  Republic  or  exported  to  foreign  countries. 

The  greater  part  of  the  coca  exported  from  Bolivia  goes  to  Argentina 
or  Chile.  Most  of  the  competition  in  the  international  coca  market 
comes  from  Peru,  where  it  is  also  produced  on  a  considerable  scale, 
though  the  Peruvian  leaf  is  said  to  be  inferior  in  quality  to  that 


164         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMKIK'IAI.    AND    IXM'STKIAL    HANDBOOK. 

produced  in  Bolivia.     The  figures  for  total  exports  during  the  period 
1914    L919  are  as  follows: 


fears. 

Kilos. 

Bolii 

Kilos. 

Bolft 

i'ii  

347,679 
389.310 
331,851 

651.  123 
732,903 
623,880 

1917 

113,050 

688,841 
771,564 

L91S 

!  118 

L916 

1919 

Argentina  purchased  257,515  kilos,  or  73.87  per  cent,  of  the  1918 
exports  of  coca  from  Bolivia;  Chile,  97,084  kilos,  or  26.01  per  cent: 
and  Great  Britain,  552  kilos,  or  0.12  per  cent. 

Coca  is  known  abroad  only  as  the  basis  of  the  anesthetic  cocaine, 
none  of  which  is  manufactured  in  Bolivia,  though  some  is  made  in 
Peru.  Most  of  the  Bolivian  production  is  consumed  within  the 
country,  where  it  is  widely  chewed  by  the  natives  of  the  plateau  for 
its  narcotic  effects.  The  natives  mix  it  with  the  ashes  of  the  quinua 
plant,  which  serves  as  a  condiment.  Its  use  enables  the  Indian  to 
go  without  food  for  a  considerable  time  and  to  work  for  long  stretches 
without  rest.  However,  its  prolonged  use  deadens  the  nerves  and 
other  sensibilities  of  the  organism,  and  is  thus  a  potent  factor  in  the 
degeneration  of  the  Indian  race  of  the  plateau.  The  coca  habit  is 
also  widespread  among  the  inhabitants  of  some  parts  of  northern 
Argentina  and  in  certain  districts  of  northern  Chile. 


COFFEE  PRODICTION  AND  TRADE. 


There  are  no  large  plantations  of  coffee  in  the  Yungas,  but  it  is 
cultivated  in  small  patches  throughout  the  entire  region,  or  the 
trees  are  planted  as  hedges  along  the  roads  or  around  iields  of  other 
crops.  Little  care  is  given  to  the  cultivation  of  coffee,  and  the  trees 
are  not  properly  trimmed  or  shaded.  The  first  crop  is  generally 
picked  at  the  end  of  one  and  one-half  or  two  years,  and  the  trees  con- 
tinue hearing  fruit  from  15  to  20  years.  The  usual  yield  is  between 
3  and  S  pounds  per  tree.  The  natives  pick  ripe  and  green  berries 
indiscriminately,  so  that  careful  grading  is  difficult.  However,  the 
berries  are  of  good  size  and  the  coffee  is  of  excellent  quality,  its 
aroma  being  equal   to  that  of  any  South  American  coffee. 

As  the  production  is  limited,  there  has  been  little  effort  to  develop 
a  foreign  market,  though  a  consignment  was  recently  shipped  t<> 
San  Francisco.     Landowners  in  the  Yungas  declare  their  willingness 

to  plant  more  coffee  as  soon  as  they  are  assured  of  a  market  for  the 
production.  The  price  in  I. a  Paz  on  June  9,  L920,  was  ."ill  bolivianos 
per  Spanish  quintal,  of  about  l()l  pounds  (about  in  cents  per  pound  I. 
In  1 918  the  total  exports  of  coffee  from  Bolivia  amounted  to  13,050 
kilos,  valued  at  11,547  bolivianos.  Of  this  total,  Chile  took  12,307 
kilos,  valued  at  10,815  bolivianos,  and  small  quantities  were  taken 
l>\    Argentina,  Spain,  and    Peru.      Of  these  exports.   T.li't'J  kilos  were 

produced  in  Nor  Yungas  and  5,351  kilos  in  Sur  Yungas,  the  Coroico 
district  being  the  lai«_re-t  producer.  In  addition,  L25  kilos  of  ground 
coffee  were  snipped  to  Chile.  In  1 91 9  exports  amounted  bo  205,427 
kilo-,  valued  .-it  232,868  bolivianos. 


AGRICULTURE. 


165 


The  imports  of  coffee  into  Bolivia  for  the  period  1914-1918  were 
as  follows: 


Years. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Years. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

1914 

19, 223 

17,55* 
27, 782 

19,331 

17,  558 
27,  782 

1917 

21,257 
67, 344 

21,257 

1915 

1918 

67, 344 

1916 

Of  the  1918  imports,  38,926  kilos  came  from  Brazil,  21,962  kilos 
from  Peru,  6,336  kilos  from  Argentina,  and  120  kilos  from  Uruguay. 
About  one-third  of  this  coffee  entered  Bolivian  territory  through  the 
customhouse  of  Cobija  and  another  third  from  the  customhouses  of 
Abuna,  Yacuiba,  Villa  Bella,  and  Puerto  Suarez,  all  of  which  are 
located  in  either  the  Amazon  or  the  Paraguay  zones  of  the  Republic. 
The  remaining  third  was  entered  through  the  customhouses  of  La 
Paz  and  Oruro,  where  it  was  within  the  zone  of  competition  of  the 
Yungas  coffee.  Imports  of  ground  coffee  during  1918  amounted  to 
4,368  kilos,  as  against  1,554  kilos  for  1917.  Of  this,  only  53  kilos 
entered  through  the  customhouses  of  the  plateau,  the  remainder 
being  destined  for  eastern  Bolivia  and  the  Amazon  region. 

CACAO  CULTIVATION— OTHER  PRODUCTS. 

The  cultivation  of  cacao  has  been  little  developed  as  yet,  though 
parts  of  the  Yungas  are  very  well  suited  to  its  growth.  In  1918, 
1,889  kilos,  to  the  value  of  3,683  bolivianos,  were  exported  from  the 
Coroico  district  to  Chile.  Imports  of  cacao  into  Bolivia  during  the 
same  year,  largely  from  Peru,  amounted  to  59,209  kilos,  with  a  total 
customs  value  of  41,446  bolivianos.  Imports  of  prepared  cacao,  all 
from  the  United  States,  amounted  to  170  kilos  in  1918. 

In  spite  of  the  lack  of  attention  given  to  the  trees,  the  quality  of 
the  Yungas  oranges  is  probably  unsurpassed  in  South  America. 
They  are  of  good  size  (though  not  so  large  as  those  of  Bahia),  ex- 
tremely juicy,  and  of  excellent  flavor.  Most  of  the  production  is 
consumed  in  La  Paz,  to  which  market  they  are  carried  on  burros. 
The  production  of  tangerines  is  also  considerable. 

Bananas  are  grown  in  large  quantities  throughout  the  Yungas  and 
are  carried  thence  to  La  Paz,  but  their  quality  is  generally  inferior. 
Lemons  and  limes  of  very  good  quality  are  also  grown. 

Though  the  climate  is  suited  to  the  raising  of  sugar  cane,  compara- 
tively little  is  grown,  and  the  small  production  is  utilized  in  the 
manufacture  of  alcohol.  Tobacco  is  also  grown  on  a  small  scale. 
Corn  is  grown  to  supply  the  needs  of  the  local  population,  as  is  also 
yucca,  or  "mandioca,"  which  is  one  of  the  staple  articles  of  food 
of  the  natives  of  the  region. 

AGRICULTURAL  POSSIBILITIES  IN  EASTERN  BOLIVIA. 

The  region  of  greatest  agricultural  possibilities  in  Bolivia  lies  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  country  and  extends  from  the  plains  of  the 
Beni  around  across  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz  and  south  into  that 
of  Tarija.  However,  in  the  country  which  borders  the  true  Chaco 
to  the  west  and  extends  from  the  Rio  Grande  to  the  Pilcomayo, 
natural  conditions  are  not  so  favorable  to  agriculture  as  they  are 


166         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

either  to  the  south  in  Tarija  or  to  the  north  in  the  plains  of  Mojos 
and  Santa  Cruz  in  the  valleys  of  Chiquitos.  There  soil  and  climate 
favor  a  high  agricultural  development,  bu1  much  of  the  country  from 
Vallegrande  south  to  Villa  Monies  shares  in  the  liability  to  drought 
that  is  a  characteristic  of  the  Chaco. 

(HOPS  (iROWN- PRINCIPAL  DISTRICTS  DEVELOPED. 

In  spite  of  its  natural  advantages,  agricultural  development  in  the 
Amazonian  region  is  still  very  backward,  so  that  a  large  part  of  the 
foodstuffs  consumed  is  brought  in  from  Brazil  or  from  the  Santa 
Cruz  country.  In  some  parts  agriculture  has  even  retrograded  from 
its  former  condition.  The  crops  most  commonly  grown  are  rice, 
sugar  cane,  corn,  yucca,  and  sweet  potatoes.  Cacao,  coffee,  and 
tobacco  are  also  grown.  There  is  little  cultivation  of  cotton,  though 
formerly  considerable  quantities  were  produced,  which  supplied  the 
raw  material  for  a  local  industry  in  the  manufacture  of  excellent 
hammocks,  ponchos,  etc.  Bananas  and  oranges  are  grown  in  many 
places,  but  everywhere  on  a  small  scale.  The  most  advanced  regions 
agriculturally  are  the  Mojos  plains  in  the  vicinity  of  Trinidad  and 
the  upper  Itcnez  country.  In  the  latter  district  there  are  several 
large  properties  where  cacao,  coffee,  and  sugar  cane  are  raised.  In 
the  lands  about  the  lower  courses  of  the  rivers,  patches  of  corn,  yucca, 
sweet  potatoes,  and  rice  are  grown  for  the  use  of  the  population  of 
rubber  gatherers  about  the  "barracas."  Agriculture  in  the  lower 
Beni  country  has  been  give  a  considerable  impulse  by  the  immigration 
of  Japanese  from  Peru  by  way  of  the  Madre  de  Dios  and  along  the 
Beni  above  and  below  Riberalta.  The  missions  are  also  encour- 
aging the  development  of  farming  among  the  population  under  their 
eon  I  rol.  The  greatest  possibilities  in  agriculture  are  in  the  cultivation 
of  cotton,  sugar  cane,  cacao,  and  tobacco,  while  vanilla  should  also 
do  well. 

REGION  OF  SANTA  CRUZ. 

In  spite  of  the  great  natural  advantages  of  the  Santa  Cruz  region — 
the  vast  extent  of  level  and  fertile  land  and  a  highly  favorable 
climate — agricultural  operations  have  probably  fallen  off  2.">  per  cent 
during  the  past  two  decades.  This  decline  is  largely  due  to  the  fact 
that  new  lines  of  transportation  have  been  pushed  in  from  the 
outside  toward  the  Santa  Cruz  country,  tapping  fields  that  were 
formerly  markets  for  the  consumption  of  the  products  of  that  region. 
The  most  important  of  these  lines  were  (1)  the  railway  from  Oruro 
to  Cochabamba,  which  enables  the  Peruvian  sugar  to  enter  the 
Cochabamba  market  at  a  lower  price  than  the  sugar  of  Santa  Cruz; 
(2)  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway,  which  has  taken  from  Santa  Cruz 
much  of  the  market  of  the  Beni;   and   (3)  the  Kmbarcaeion  branch  of 

the  Argentine  Central  Northern,  which  has  enabled  Argentine  pro- 
duets  to  compete  successfully  in  southern  Bolivia  with  the  products 

of  Santa   Cruz.      The  de\  elopnieii  t    of  heller  agricultural   methods   is 

also  needed  in  the  Santa  Cruz  region,  as  everywhere  in  Bolivia     a 

nerd    |  hat   could   be  partly   met    by   the  establishment   of  agricultural 

schools.     The  predominant  soil  is  alluvium  of  comparatively  recent 

formation,  and  in  the  plains  country  is  rich  in  humus.  \£ost  of  the 
land  is  held  in  large  estates,  the  ••haciendas"  ranging  in  size  from 
in  to  loo  square-leagues  of  5,760  acres  each.  Some  of  the  owners  of 
these  properties  have  held  their  Lands  for  a  long  time. 


AGRICULTURE.  167 

The  most  highly  developed  agricultural  districts  are  located  in  the 
Provinces  of  Sara  and  Cercado,  particularly  to  the  northwest  of  Santa 
Cruz.  There  are  also  huge  extensions  of  virgin  lands  suitable  for 
farming  in  the  more  remote  regions  of  Nuflo  de  Chavez,  Velasco,  and 
Chiquitos.  Irrigation  is  practiced  in  Vallegrande  and  to  a  lesser 
extent  in  Cordillera,  and  in  the  latter  region  dry  farming  should  be 
highly  practicable. 

The  Santa  Cruz  plains  are  excellently  adapted  to  the  raising  of 
sugar  cane.  The  cane  is  generally  planted  in  November  and  cut  in 
May,  the  same  plants  being  worked  for  three  or  four  years.  The  sugar 
produced  is  of  fairly  good  quality  in  spite  of  the  antiquated  methods 
used  in  refining  it.  Most  of  the  industry  is  carried  on  by  small 
"trapiches,"  or  crushing  mills,  and  the  sugar  is  whitened  by  means  of 
mud.  The  largest  establishment  is  that  of  Zeller,  Villinger  &  Co., 
near  Santa  Cruz,  the  equipment  of  which  cost  about  $150,000  and 
required  a  year  for  its  transportation  from  Puerto  Suarez  by  means 
of  ox-carts.  A  company  has  also  been  organized  recently  by  local 
capital  for  the  purpose  of  putting  up  a  large  refinery,  and  representa- 
tives of  these  interests  are  now  on  their  way  to  Buenos  Aires  to 
acquire  the  necessary  machinery  for  the  installation  of  the  plant. 

Most  of  the  sugar  produced  is  consumed  locally,  though  some  is 
sent  to  the  Beni  and  small  quantities  to  Cochabamba.  Three  hundred 
thousand  arrobas  (arroba  equals  about  25  pounds)  were  formerly  sent 
to  Cochabamba  each  year. 

The  actual  production  of  cotton  represents  only  a  very  small  pro- 
portion of  the  possibilities  of  the  region  in  this  line.  Two  varieties 
of  plant  are  commonly  grown.  One  of  these  is  ready  for  picking  in 
five  or  six  months,  with  a  fiber  from  4  to  5  centimeters  long.  The 
other  is  a  native  cotton  bush  or  tree,  which  grows  to  a  height  of  6  feet 
or  more  and  bears  for  about  20  years.  This  plant  produces  6  to  8 
pounds  of  cotton  twice  a  year,  and  an  acre  will  produce  about  three 
500-pound  bales  of  seeded  cotton. 

Rice  is  an  important  article  of  local  diet  and  is  widely  grown  in 
the  more  low-lying  districts  of  the  Department. 

Though  formerly  important  in  some  districts,  as  in  Vallegrande, 
the  cultivation  of  tobacco  has  declined.  Growers  claim  that  the 
Government  "estanco"  or  monopoly  has  discouraged  the  industry, 
though  some  tobacco  is  made  up  into  cigarettes  at  Vallegrande  in 
defiance  of  the  privileges  of  the  "estanco."  In  Chiquitos  three  crops 
of  tobacco  are  produced  from  the  same  root. 

Coffee  of  prime  quality  is  grown  about  San  Jose  and  Santiago  in 
Chiquitos,  though  in  limited  quantities.  Coffee  is  also  produced  in 
other  parts  of  the  Department. 

Wheat,  barley,  and  potatoes  are  grown  in  Vallegrande.  Maize 
does  well  and  is  widely  grown  throughout  the  Department.  A  good 
grade  of  cacao  is  produced  in  the  northeastern  section  of  the  Depart- 
ment, and  yerba  mate  has  been  successfully  produced  in  Chiquitos 
and  Velasco.  A  large  variety  of  fruits  flourish  in  this  part  of  Bolivia. 
These  include  bananas,  oranges,  pineapples,  melons,  lemons,  alligator 
pears,  grapes,  figs,  and  pomegranates.  Oranges  and  lemons  grow  wild 
and  melons  yield  almost  the  entire  year  in  Chiquitos.  Excellent 
vegetables  can  be  raised  almost  everywhere,  and  yucca  or  '"mandioca" 
constitutes  a  very  important  item  of  diet  among  the  common  people 
of  the  region. 


FOREST  INDUSTRIES. 

WOODS. 

Though  Bolivia  possesses  immense  timber  resources  in  the  vast 
eastern  lowlands  and  in  the  montana  region  on  the  eastern  side  of 
the  Andes,  almost  nothing  has  been  done  to  exploit  them.  The 
forested  area  includes  most  of  the  Territory  of  Colonias  and  the 
Department  of  El  Beni,  and  comprises  large  districts  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Santa  Cruz  and  of  the  Chaco  country  to  the  south.  There 
are  probably  more  than  60,000  square  miles  of  forest  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Santa  Cruz.  Scattered  over  the  great  plain  about  Santa 
Cruz  are  isolated  patches  of  woodland,  and  in  parts  of  Chiquitos  and 
Cordillera  there  are  wide  expanses  of  dry,  scrub  forest.  The  Monte 
Grande  east  of  Santa  Cruz  is  a  vast  forest  wilderness,  and  across  the 
northern  part  of  the  Department,  from  Sara  east  across  Nuflo  de 
Chavez  and  Velasco  to  the  Brazilian  border,  there  stretches  an  im- 
mense area  of  real  tropical  forest.  Large  sections  of  the  montana 
region  in  the  Departments  of  La  Paz,  Cochabamba,  and  Chuquisaca 
are  also  forested.  However,  the  table-land  is  almost  treeless,  save 
where  such  trees  as  eucalyptus  have  been  planted  in  protected 
localities.  Apple  trees  are  grown  in  the  bleak  climate  of  Oruro, 
and  some  of  the  trees  produce  a  good  variety  of  fruit. 

The  chief  obstacles  to  the  working  of  timber  in  the  forested  re- 
gions of  Bolivia  are  the  lack  of  transportation  facilities  and  the 
peculiar  character  of  the  tropical  forest.  No  railways  tap  the  timber 
country,  and,  though  there  is  a  fine  system  of  natural  waterways. 
the  rivers  flow  away  from  t^he  lumber  market  of  the  country  instead 
of  toward  it.  Moreover,  many  of  the  native  hardwoods  are  too 
heavy  to  be  carried  in  rafts.  The  forests  of  the  Amazonian  region 
are  also  so  dense  and  so  tangled  with  a  luxuriant  undergrowth  that 
it  is  difficult  to  penetrate  them,  and  lumbering  operations  are  con- 
sequently attended  with  great  difficulties.  Nowhere  are  solid 
stands  01  a  single  species  of  tree  found  in  these  forests,  but  a  given 
area  may  contain  a  large  variety  of  trees.  A  Franciscan  mission 
in  the  Province  of  Velasco  sent  125  specimens  of  woods  to  the  Pan- 
ama-Pacific Exposition  at  San  Francisco  in  191."),  and  82  specimens 
were  sent  from  one  estate  in  the  Chapare  region  of  the  Department 
of  Cochabamba. 

Among  the  most  common  woods  of  eastern  Bolivia  are  the  useful 
cedro  (or  Spanish  cedar),  jacaranda,  Lapacho,  laurel,  quebracho 
bianco,  urundev,  palo  santo,  palo  bianco,  mahogany,  walnut,  ebony. 
incienso,  and  the  giant  carob.  Some  of  these  are  valuable  cabinet 
and  construction  woods.  Among  trees  with  a  high  tannin  content 
is  the  curupay.  Most  of  these  woods  are  described  in  the  writer's 
Commercial  handbook  of  Paraguay,  Special  Agents  Series  No.  L99. 
These  woods  are  generally  known  by  Indian  names,  and  the  same 
tree  may  ha\e  several  different  names  in  as  many  parts  of  the 
country.  Some  of  the  native  woods,  such  as  the  tajibo  negro,  or 
L68 


FOREST   INDUSTRIES.  169 

"iron  tree,"  are  of  extraordinary  hardness,  and  others  are  extremely 
light,  as  in  the  case  of  the  palo  de  balsa,  which  is  used  in  the  Colonias 
and  lower  Beni  regions  for  making  canoes. 

In  spite  of  the  timber  wealth  of  the  country,  lumbering  operations 
are  very  limited  and  are  carried  on  in  an  unprogressive  manner. 
Sawmills  are  small  and  few  in  number,  and  axes,  adzes,  and  cross- 
cut saws  are  the  principal  tools  used  in  lumbering. 

RUBBER. 

The  rubber  industry,  one  of  the  most  important  in  Bolivia,  is 
centered  in  the  Amazonian  region  of  the  Republic.  Though  the 
first  rubber  was  taken  out  along  the  Mamore  in  1864  and  production 
amounted  to  2,000  arrobas  (25.36  pounds  each)  by  1878,  the  develop- 
ment of  the  industry  on  a  large  scale  dates  from  the  eighties.  Much 
of  the  rubber  country  was  explored  about  that  time  by  an  American, 
Edwin  Heath.  The  year  1882  was  a  great  one  in  the  history  of  the 
industry,  but  the  depression  caused  by  the  outbreak  of  swamp  fever, 
which  followed  the*  floods  of  1886,  caused  a  temporary  setback. 
With  the  rapidly  increasing  demand  for  the  product,  rubber  hunters 
poured  into  the  Beni  and  Mamore  districts,  and  numerous  companies 
were  organized  to  exploit  the  resources  of  those  regions.  Pro- 
duction in  1898  was  double  that  of  the  previous  year,  and  in  1900  it 
reached  the  highest  figure  attained  until  1911.  However,  the  best 
returns  from  the  business  were  during  the  boom  years  from  1909  to 
1911,  during  which  period  rubber  reached  the  maximum  price  of 
12  shillings  ($2.92)  per  pound.  From  that  time  the  decline  in  the 
returns  was  constant  until  1915,  but  the  yield  of  1917  brought  only 
about  two-thirds  as  much  as  did  that  of  1910.  By  1917  the  East 
Indian  plantations  were  producing  and  Amazonian  rubber  had  taken 
the  second  place  in  the  world  market,  at  least  so  far  as  quantity 
was  concerned. 


PRODUCING  DISTRICTS. 


Rubber  is  found  in  the  Territory  of  Colonias  and  in  the  four 
northernmost  Departments  of  the  Republic — El  Beni,  La  Paz,  Cocha- 
bamba,  and  Santa  Cruz.  The  Beni  district  has  steadily  declined  in 
relative  importance  as  its  stock  of  trees  has  been  worked  out,  and 
the  Territory  of  Colonias  has  become  the  most  productive  rubber 
region  in  Bolivia.  Rubber  trees  are  found  in  large  quantities  along 
all  the  rivers  of  Colonias,  including  the  Acre,  Abuna,  Orton,  Madre 
de  Dios,  and  their  tributaries.  Development  in  all  these  districts  is 
comparatively  recent,  the  rubber  resources  of  the  Abuna  not  having 
been  worked  until  1904.  Most  of  the  "gomales,"  or  rubber  planta- 
tions, of  El  Beni  are  along  the  lower  reaches  of  the  Beni  and  the 
Mamore,  in  the  Province  of  Vaca  Diez,  and  to  a  lesser  extent  in  that  of 
Yacuma;  there  are  also  important  fields  in  the  Itenez  Basin.  The 
rubber  districts  of  Santa  Cruz  are  located  in  the  Provinces  of  Nuflo  de 
Chavez  and  Velasco,  and  lie  mostly  between  the  San  Miguel  and  the 
Paragua.  San  Ignacio  and  Concepcion  are  the  chief  centers  of  the 
rubber  business  of  this  part  of  Bolivia.  The  rubber  industry  of  the 
Department  of  La  Paz  is  restricted  to  the  Province  of  Caupolican 
and,  to  a  much  smaller  degree,  those  of  Larecaja,  Munecas,  and  Nor 
Yungas.     The  comparatively  unimportant  "  gomales' '  of  the  Depart- 


170        BOLIVIA:    A   COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

ment  of  Cochabamba  are  situated  in  the  Province  of  the  Chapare  in 
the  basin  of  the  river  of  that  name  and  in  the  basin  of  the  D'Orbigny. 

KINDS  OBTAINED— LOCATION  OF  TREES. 

The  highest  grade  of  Amazonian  rubber,  known  as  Para  fine,  is 
derived  from  the  hevea  tree,  which  stands  from  30  to  40  meters 
(meter  =  3.28  feet)  high  and  may  attain  a  diameter  of  a  meter  or  even 
more.  An  inferior  grade  of  rubber  is  extracted  from  the  caucho  tree 
(Castittoa  elastica).  The  product  is  sold  on  the  market  as  caucho. 
The  caucho  trees  that  are  worked  are  generally  from  30  to  50  meters 
high.  Contrary  to  the  procedure  used  with  the  hevea,  the  caucho 
must  be  cut  down  in  order  to  obtain  the  sap.  The  rubber  known  as 
ceara  is  extracted  from  the  manicoba  tree  (Manihot  (jhizlovii),  which 
is  also  found,  though  not  in  great  numbers,  in  the  Bolivian  forests. 

The  rubber  trees  do  not  exist  in  solid  stands,  but  are  found  scat- 
tered throughout  the  general  forest.  The  belts  along  the  rivers 
where  they  occur  seldom  extend  inland  more  than  10  or  12  miles. 
The  tree  prefers  low  ground  in  the  neighborhood  of  swamps  and 
watercourses,  where  the  moisture  is  retained  in  the  ground  through- 
out the  year,  and  it  appears  to  thrive  best  on  land  that  is  inundated 
about  once  every  three  years. 

LAWS  REGARDING  RUBBER  LANDS. 

Bolivian  legislation  in  regard  to  rubber  lands  is  based  on  the  Ley 
de  Gomas  of  December  12,  1895,  put  into  effect  by  decree  of  June  30, 
1896,  and  modified  in  important  respects  by  a  series  of  subsequent 
laws.  The  law  of  1895  fixed  the  "estrada"  of  150  rubber  trees  as  the 
unit  of  concessions  of  land,  and  authorized  the  delegate  of  the  Terri- 
tory of  Colonias  and  the  prefects  of  Departments  in  which  rubber 
trees  existed  to  grant  up  to  a  maximum  of  500  "estradas"  to  indi- 
viduals and  1,000  estradas  to  legally  constituted  companies.  The 
privilege  of  making  larger  grants  was  reserved  to  the  National 
Congress.  These  provisions  were  not  to  affect  the  titles  to  proper  tie- 
already  constituted  which  contained  more  than  the  maximum  number 
of  estradas  permitted  by  the  law.  The  concessionaires  were  to  pay 
for  each  "estrada"  15  bolivianos  in  15  yearly  installments,  though 
they  might  consolidate  their  title  by  paying  the  entire  sum  at  once. 
All  properties  granted  were  to  be  surveyed  and  their  limits  clearly 
marked  off. 

The  custom  of  measuring  grants  by  "estradas"  gave  rise  to  such 
great  abuses  that  a  law  of  October  26,  1905,  was  issued  declaring  that 

the  unit  of  measurement  for  all  acquisitions  is  the  hectare,  the 
granting  of  lands  by  '  estradas '  being  prohibited  henceforth."  Accord 
ing  to  this  law,  any  native  of  the  Republic  or  foreigner  capable  of 
assuming  the  obligations  of  the  civil  law  might  acquire  by  purchase 
from  the  Government  a  maximum  of  20,000  hectares  at  the  price 
of  1  boliviano  per  hectare.  Purchasers  nf  such  lands  were  obligated 
to  colonize  the  land  at  the  rate  of  one  family  for  each  1,000  hectares. 
A  special  act  of  Congress  was  required  for  grants  of  land  exceeding 
20,000  hectares.  Those  who  were  in  possession  of  State  lauds  to 
which  they  had  not  confirmed  their  titles  were  given  a  period  of  two 
rears  in  which  they  might  consolidate  their  rights  to  these  properties 
in  conformance  with  the  requirements  of  this  law.     In  the  event  of 


FOREST   INDUSTRIES.  171 

failure  to  satisfy  the  provisions  of  the  law  the  lands  in  question  were 
to  revert  to  the  State.  This  law  was  put  into  execution  by  a  decree 
dated  June  20,  1907. 

The  further  sale  of  public  lands  was  suspended  by  a  law  of  Sep- 
tember 11,  1915,  and  those  who  had  occupied  public  lands  in  accord- 
ance with  the  law  of  1905  were  allowed  until  the  end  of  1920  in  which 
to  perfect  their  titles.  Further  petitions  for  lands  were  to  be  re- 
served for  the  exclusive  consideration  of  the  National  Congress.  A 
law  of  September  26,  1917,  provided  for  a  tax  of  one-half  centavo 
(1  centavo  =  0.3  cent)  per  hectare  on  all  lands  secured  under  the  provi- 
sions of  these  laws,  the  proceeds  to  go  toward  a  fund  for  the  con- 
struction of  a  railway  from  Cochabamba  to  Santa  Cruz. 

The  relation  between  the  "estrada"  and  hectare,  which  had  been 
left  undetermined  by  the  law  of  1905,  was  fixed  at  75  hectares  for  each 
estrada  by  a  law  of  October  31,  1917.  All  grantees  of  lands  under 
the  previous  law  who  had  not  perfected  their  titles  at  this  time  were 
required  to  accept  this  proportion  in  determining  the  extent  of  their 
properties.  In  case  the  land  actually  occupied  exceeded  the  maximum 
provided  for  in  accordance  with  this  ratio,  the  holder  of  the  land 
might  either  renounce  the  excess  or  retain  it  by  the  payment  of  20 
centavos  for  each  hectare  of  excess. 

Practically  all  the  rubber-bearing  lands  in  Bolivia  are  now  in- 
cluded in  grants  to  which  the  titles  have  either  been  perfected  or 
which  are  the  subject  of  negotiations  with  the  Government.  How- 
ever, many  holders  of  rubber  lands  have  not  complied  with  the  re- 
quirements of  the  laws  under  which  they  have  received  their  grants, 
and  the  Government  anticipates  that  on  the  expiration  of  the  term 
allowed  by  the  law  of  September  11,  1915  (Dec.  31, 1920),  this  failure 
to  comply  with  the  terms  of  their  concessions  will  require  it  to  reas- 
sume  large  tracts  of  land  now  occupied  by  the  rubber  companies. 
The  requirement  in  regard  to  the  settlement  of  one  family  for  each 
thousand  hectares  of  land  has  not  been  complied  with  in  many  cases. 

PRINCIPAL  COMPANIES. 

The  most  important  of  the  rubber  interests  operating  in  Bolivia 
include  the  following: 

Suarez  Hermanos.  the  most  powerful  of  all  the  Bolivian  rubber  companies,  has 
its  home  offices  in  London  and  also  has  a  receiving  and  forwarding  station  at  Para. 
The  Bolivian  headquarters  of  the  Suarez  interests  are  located  at  Cachuela  Esperanza, 
a  short  distance  above  Villa  Bella,  on  the  Beni,  at  which  point  are  large  stores  and 
warehouses.  The  rubber  fields  extend  along  the  Beni  to  Riberalta  and  up  the  Madre 
de  Dios  to  the  Peruvian  frontier.  In  addition  the  company  has  nearly  2,000.000 
hectares  on  the  Orton  and  its  tributaries,  besides  large  properties  on  the  Acre  and  the 
Abuna.  Altogether  it  possesses  nearly  10,000,000  hectares.  About  60  per  cent  of 
the  rubber  sent  through  Villa  Bella  is  consigned  by  it.  The  total  resources  of  this  firm 
are  said  to  aggregate  about  50,000,000  bolivianos. 

The  German  firm  of  Alfredo  W.  Barber  &  Co.  has  its  central  office  in  Cochabamba. 
with  branches  in  Trinidad,  Guayaramerin,  and  at  several  points  in  the  Itenez  country, 
where  it  possesses  large  "gomales."  It  also  has  properties  in  the  Abuna  and  Mam  ore 
districts. 

A  lone-established  German  company,  Zeller,  Villinger  &  Co..  has  rubber  properties 
scattered  from  the  Beni  country  to  the  upper  Itenez  region.  It  has  houses  at  Riberalta, 
Guayaramerin,  Baures,  and  Magdalena  (Itenez),  Santa  Cruz.  Trinidad,  and  Puerto 
Suarez  (Rio  Paraguay). 

Brailard  &  Co.,  a  French  company,  with  headquarters  at  Riberalta,  owns  gomales 
in  the  Beni  and  along  some  of  the  rivers  of  the  Territory  of  Colonias. 


172        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMEBCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

Another  French  company,  known  ae  Soci6t£  Picollet.  was  founded  in  L910  with  a 
capital  of  2.500,000  francs  i  I  franc=19.3  cents),  which  lias  been  increased  to  aboul 
3,500.000  francs.  The  center  of  operations  of  this  firm  is  in  the  Abuna  district,  with 
a  trading  bouse  at  Manoa,  at  the  mouth  of  tin-  Abuna. 

The  trading  house  of  (iuillermo  Demmer  is  located  at  Riberalta  and  owns  L,romales 
in  aorthern  <  olonias. 

The  Sociedad  <  'omercia]  Mattel rrosso  y  Bolivia,  which  is  the  ( rerman  firm  of  Stoffen, 
Schuack,  M tiller  A-  Co.,  has  trading  stations  at  Guayaramerin,  Santa  Cruz,  I'i 
Suarc/.  Corumba  (Brazil),  and  at  certain  points  in  the  Ltenez  region.     Mosl 
rubber  properties  are  situated  in  the  ltenez. 

Still  another  German  linn.  Komarek  A  Bruckner,  owns  gomalee  in  the  ltenez  and 
trading  houses  at  Magdalena  and  Baures. 

The  ruhher  lands  of  the  English  Anglo-Bolivian  Rubber  Estaies  i  Ltd  arc  situated 
in  the  basin  of  the  Rio  Blanco,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Department  of  Santa  I  ruz. 
1h  chief  center  of  operations  is  Concepcion,  in  the  Province  of  Velasco.  It  formerly 
took  out  mosl  of  its  rubber  through  Puerto  Suarez  and  the  Rio  Paraguay,  hut  recently 
closed  the  former  post. 

The  Bolivian.  Xicanor  (!.  Salvatierra,  has  large  gomales  in  the  Madre  de  Dios. 
Abuna.  and  Beni. 

Besides  these  interests,  there  are  scores  of  others  with  ruhher  estates,  some  of  them 
aggregating  over  200.000  hectares  of  land. 

METHODS  OF  EXPLOITATION— "HERRINGBONE  SYSTEM." 

I 

The  methods  of  gathering  the  rubber  used  by  the  Bolivian  "serin- 
gueiro,"  or  extractor  and  coagulator,  are  much  the  same  throughout 
the  rubber  districts  of  the  Republic,  though  some  improvements  have 
been  made  in  the  procedure  of  extraction  during  the  last  few  years. 
Each  " seringueiro "  or  "picador"  is  assigned  an  estrada  of  150  trees, 
which  he  is  to  work.  Every  day  during  the  season  he  goes  the  rounds 
of  his  estrada,  beginning  his  labors  about  daybreak.  With  a  long- 
handled  hatchet  he  makes  from  6  to  12  incisions  in  the  bark  of  the 
tree  as  high  as  he  can  reach  on  the  trunk,  and  under  each  incision  he 
places  a  tin  cup  into  which  the  latex  or  sap  Hows.  It  requires  about 
three  hours  to  make  this  first  round  of  the  estrada,  and  after  a  short 
rest  the  "seringueiro"  makes  a  second  round  of  the  trees  to  collect  the 
latex  from  the  cups.  He  empties  the  latex  into  a  bucket  and  carries 
the  proceeds  of  his  morning's  work  to  his  encampment  for  coagu- 
lation, which  is  accomplished  by  a  smoking  process. 

The  contents  of  the  bucket  are  poured  into  a  basin  and  the  Latex 
poured  over  a  stick  which  is  revolved  in  the  dense  smoke  produced 
from  hard  palm  wood  or  palm  nuts  burned  in  a  small  oven.  The  latex 
coagulates  rapidly  in  this  smoke  and  gradually  forms  a  hall,  which 
l-  taken  off  when  at  a  convenient  size,  about  40  or  50  pounds,  and 
placed  to  dry  under  a  roof  of  palm  leaves.  In  this  way  the  char- 
acteristic Para  ruhher  halls  are  produced,  and  an  incision  will  show 
the  layers  made  by  the  turning  of  the  rubber  during  the  process  of 
coagulation. 

Each  day  the  workman  makes  the  incision  on  the  tree  an  inch  or 
two  lower  down  on  the  trunk  until  the  roots  are  reached,  when  the 

tree  is  left    to  resl    until   the  next   year.      Trees  arc  worked  continn 
OUsly  during  the  rainy  season  of  each  year  for  two  or  three  years, 
and    then    are   not    worked    for  an   equal    period.      The   life  of  a   tree 

winch  i-  under  exploitation  is  from  15  to  30  years,  largely  depending 
on  the  care  which  i->  used  in  making  the  incisions.     Those  made  by 

a  careless  "picador"  will  reach  below  the  hark  of  the  tree  and  injure 
its  vital  parts,  thus  causing  it  to  die  before  its  natural  term  of  life. 


FOREST   INDUSTRIES.  173 

Of  late  years  experiments  have  been  made  with  the  so-called 
herring-bone  system,  which  is  used  on  the  plantations.  By  this 
method  a  knife  with  a  short  convex  blade  just  wide  enough  to  enter 
the  bark  is  used  to  make  a  long,  vertical  incision  about  4  feet  in 
length.  A  number  of  parallel  lateral  incisions  are  then  made  on 
each  side  of  and  terminating  in  the  central  incision.  The  latter 
serves  as  a  kind  of  trough  through  which  the  latex  from  the  lateral 
incisions  flows  down  the  side  of  the  tree  and  out  through  a  small 
spout  into  a  bucket.  This  method  preserves  the  tree  from  the  dan- 
gers which  result  from  the  deep  incisions  made  by  the  old  system 
in  which  the  hatchet  is  used. 

SCARCITY  OF  LABOR  SUPPLY. 

The  labor  question  in  the  rubber  country  has  always  presented 
serious  difficulties  because  of  the  scarcity  of  the  labor  supply  within 
reach  of  the  "gomales."  During  the  nineties  and  the  height  of  the 
rubber  boom,  many  abuses  were  undoubtedly  committed  in  the  effort 
to  secure  laborers,  especially  by  the  "  enganchadores  "  or  contractors 
who  supplied  the  rubber  companies  with  their  labor  force.  The 
system  used  in  most  cases  was  to  advance  the  Indian  who  was  hired 
as  "  seringueiro  "  a  certain  amount  of  money,  usually  equivalent  to 
the  value  of  about  200  pounds  of  rubber.  The  Indian  agreed  to  work 
on  the  estate  for  a  year  or  more,  or  else  to  deliver  a  certain  quantity  of 
rubber.  He  was  paid  for  the  rubber  delivered  and  charged  with  the 
value  of  the  food  and  other  articles  which  he  bought  in  the  stores 
operated  by  the  company.  Besides  the  acquisition  of  his  necessary 
working  equipment,  which  included  a  hatchet  and  other  articles  used 
in  gathering  the  rubber,  and  generally  a  rifle  for  hunting,  the  "serin- 
gueiro "  was  prone  to  waste  his  pay  on  drink,  articles  of  display,  and 
other  unnecessary  purchases.  As  a  result  he  often  found  himself  so 
deeply  in  debt  to  the  owner  of  the  estate  that  he  was  not  able  to  pay 
off  his  account  at  the  end  of  his  contract.  In  this  case  it  was  common 
for  him  to  be  retained  at  work  on  the  estate  until  he  had  paid  off  his 
debt,  which  might  be  an  affair  of  years. 

IMPROVEMENT  IN  CONDITION  OF  RUBBER  GATHERERS. 

A  national  law  of  November  14,  1896,  aimed  to  correct  the  worst 
abuses  of  the  labor  system  as  it  existed  then,  and  to  protect  the  rights 
of  the  peons.  This  law  required  that  the  contractor  or  employer 
should  pay  the  transportation  of  the  laborer  from  his  home  to  his 
destination  in  the  ''gomales,"  and  thence  to  his  home  at  the  expira- 
tion of  his  contract.  The  patron  was  also  obliged  to  supply  the 
laborer  with  food  and,  in  case  of  sickness,  with  medicines.  The 
amount  of  money  that  might  be  advanced  to  a  peon  was  also  limited 
to  400  bolivianos,  and  employers  were  forced  to  supply  their  workmen 
with  a  book  in  which  the  latter's  accounts  could  be  kept  and  in 
accordance  with  which  their  accounts  could  be  periodically  liquidated. 
Each  contractor  of  peons  was  furthermore  required  to  deposit  200 
bolivianos  in  some  depository  designated  by  the  Government  for  each 
peon  contracted,  as  a  guaranty  of  his  compliance  with  the  conditions 
in  regard  to  returning  the  peons  to  their  homes  at  the  expiration  of 


174        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    [UDUSTBIAL    HANDBOOK. 

their  contracts  or  paying  them  the  LOO  bolivianos  prescribed  in  case 
they  desired  to  remain  in  the  rubber  country. 

There  lias  been  a  manifest  improvement  in  the  condition  of  the 
rubber  gatherers  during  the  past    few  years,  though  on   the  other 

hand  they  have  suffered  severely  from  the  rise  in  prices  of  necessities. 
Some  rubber  companies  stili  adhere  to  the  old  system  of  contract 
and  advances;  however,  many  estates  are  now  running  their  labor  as 
far  as  possible  on  a  strictly  pay-on-delivery  basis.  Kmployers  com- 
plain that  their  workmen  are  given  to  decamping  on  the  slightest 
provocation  or  for  no  other  reason  than  their  momentary  whims, 
despite  the  terms  of  their  contracts;  therefore  "seringueiros"  are 
being  encouraged  to  bring  in  their  families  and  establish  homes  on 
the  rubber  estates,  where  they  can  cultivate  a  piece  of  land  and  live 
more  or  less  permanently. 

Sometimes  a  section  of  rubber  forest  is  rented  to  a  contractor,  who 
occupies  a  certain  area  which  he  works  with  peons  hired  by  himself. 
He  sells  the  rubber  produced  to  the  owner  of  the  "gonial'  at  a  pre- 
arranged price.  However,  those  who  rent,  lands  in  this  fashion  work 
them  with  a  view  to  gaining  the  largest  possible  return  for  them- 
selves within  the  shortest  possible  time,  to  the  ruin  of  the  property 
rented,  so  that  this  arrangement  serves  only  as  a  last  resort. 

COMPETITION  OF  PLANTATION  RUBBER. 

The  Amazonian  rubber  industry,  including,  of  course,  that  of  Bo- 
livia, has  been  seriously  threatened  by  the  rapid  development  of  the 
East  Indian  plantations.  Though  realizing  the  menace,  the  South 
American  rubber  interests  have  done  little  to  meet  it.  A  few  Bolivian 
companies  have  considered  the  establishment  of  plantations,  and  at 
least  one  prominent  rubber  grower  has  actually  planted  some  trees, 
but  the  movement  has  progressed  no  further.  Meanwhile,  owing  to 
their  more  economical  methods,  the  plantations  have  rapidly  gained 
control  of  the  world  rubber  market.  The  following  chart  will  illus- 
trate the  rise  of  the  plantation  industry  and  its  relative  position  in 
the  rubber  industry  of  the  world  (1  long  ton  =  2,240  pounds^  : 


Vcars. 


1006 

1907. 

[90 


World 
produc- 
tion. 


/    (J       .! 

Inns. 

66,210 
69,000 
65,  100 


1911. 
1912 


75,  149 
98,928 

IMS.   III! 


Production  of  plant  a1  ions. 


Quan- 
tity. 


Long 

Inns. 

ran 
1,000 
1,800 
3.  COO 
8,200 
II,  U9 
28,218 


Acreage. 


102,912 

ss.-,,P7!l 
1,200,  W7 
I. lis  033 
1,611,  124 


Percent- 
ageol 

total. 


0.7 

I    I 
L'  8 

5.  L' 

111. 

19.2 
28  5 


>  ear 


1014. 

I'll.", 
1916 
I'H  7. 
1918 
1919. 
1920. 


World 
produc- 
tion. 


tons. 
120,380 
158,702 
201,  ■■'is 

241,579 
381,860 
1403,000 


Product  inn  of  plant  at  ions. 


Wr   * 


Long 
tons. 
71,380 
107,81 7 

204,  .'•"  I 
200,950 


I'ercent- 
age  "f 
total. 


59  2 
67.9 
76  7 

S3  I 
gg  o 


i  Estimated. 


The  position  of  Amazonian  and  other  rubber,  chiefly  African 

ing  the  same  period  is  represented  by  the  following  table: 


dur- 


FOREST   INDUSTRIES. 


175 


Amazonian.             African,  etc. 

Years. 

Amazonian. 

African,  etc. 

Years. 

Long 
tons. 

Per- 
centage 
of  total. 

Long 
tons. 

Per- 
centage 
of  total. 

Long 

Ions. 

Per- 
centage 

of  total. 

Long 
tons. 

Per- 
centage 
of  total. 

1906 

36, 000 
38,000 
39, 000 
42,000 
40, 800 
37, 730 
40,410 
39,370 

54.  4 
55.1 
59.  6 
60.3 
57.9 
50.2 
42.9 
36.3 

29,700 
30,000 
24, 600 
24,000 
21,500 
23, 000 
28,000 
21,452 

44.9 
43.5 
37.6 
34.5 
30.5 
30.6 
28.3 
19.8 

1914 

37,000 
37, 220 
36, 500 
39, 370 
30,700 
34, 285 
135,000 

30.7 
23.5 
18.1 
15.  3 
12.5 
8.9 
8.6 

12,000 
13,615 
12,448 
13, 258 
9,929 
7,350 
18,000 

10.0 

1907 

1915 

8.6 

190S 

1916 

6.2 

1909 

1917 

5.2 

1910 

1911 

1918 

4.1 

1919 

1920 

1.92 

1.98 

1913 

1  Estimated. 


COMPARATIVE  PRICES. 


The  comparative  average  prices  of  plantation  and  fine  grade  Ama- 
zonian rubber  for  the  same  period  were  as  follows,  in  shillings  and 
pence  per  pound : 


Years. 


Planta- 
tion. 


1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 


s.  d. 

5  101 


111 
2f 
I 
9 

51 
9" 


Fine  hard 
Para. 


s.  d. 

5  2| 
4  6 

4  0J 

6  11 
8  10 

5  0 
4  10 


Years. 


1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 
1918 
1919 


Planta- 
tion. 


s.  d. 
0{ 


Fine  hard 
Para. 


s.  d. 


10J 

7 
li 

i; 

ii'. 


[According  to  the  Daily  Commercial  Report,  published  in  London  on  Sept.  15, 1920,  quotations  on  plan- 
tation rubber  were  Is.  7Jd.;  on  fine  hard  Para,  Is.  8d.] 

EXPORT  DUTIES  DEPENDENT  ON  RUBBER  QUOTATIONS. 

The  Bolivian  export  tariff  provides  for  the  following  scale  of  duties 
on  the  exportation  of  rubber.  The  duty  depends  on  the  quotation 
on  the  pound  of  rubber: 


Quotation,  pence 
per  pound. 

Value  of  the  metric 
ton. 

Duty. 

Quotation,  pence 
per  pound. 

Value  of  the  metric 
ton. 

Duty. 

Fine: 

10  to  24 

Bolivianos. 

798  to  1,915 

P.ct. 

Free. 

2 

<  >rdinarv: 

10  to  24 

25  to  36 

Bolivianos. 

558  to  1,340 
1,396  to  2,010 
2, 066  to  2, 681 
2, 737  to  5,586 

P.ct. 
Free. 

25  to  36. 

1,995  to  2, 872 
2, 952  to  3, 830 
3,910  to  7,980 

2 

37to48 

49  to  100 

i 

37  to  48 

4 

49  to  100 

6 

For  fine  rubber,  the  official  value,  on  the  basis  of  which  the  duty 
is  levied,  is  fixed  at  70  per  cent  of  the  market  quotation  in  London; 
while  the  official  value  for  ordinary  rubber  is  70  per  cent  of  that  for 
the  fine.  The  quotations  are  forwarded  twice  a  month  by  the  Bolivian 
consulate  in  London. 


176         BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 
CLASSIFICATION  OF  RUBBER. 

On  the  arrival  of  a  consignment  of  rubber  at  Manaos  or  Para,  a 
"bolacha"  or  sample  ball  is  cut  through  several  layers  with  a  knife 
for  the  purpose  of  classifying  the  lot.  There  are  eight  classes,  ac- 
cording to  this  preliminary  inspection,  though  the  rubber  is  gen- 
erally shipped  as  of  two  classes.  The  eight  classes  are  as  follows: 
Fina,  fina  llaca,  entreiina.  cntre-lina-flaca,  sernamby  en  rama,  ser- 
namby virgen,  sernamby  de  caucho,  and  caucho.  However,  these 
are  exported  to  the  foreign  market  as  ''fine"  or  "ordinary."  The 
rubber  known  as  line  hard  Para  is  the  prime  product  of  the  latex  of  the 
hevea.  Sernamby  is  second-duality  rubber,  and,  though  a  product 
of  the  hevea,  it  contains  impurities  which  mar  its  value;  it  is  some- 
times made  of  the  residue  alter  the  preparation  of  the  fine  Para. 
If  rain  has  fallen  in  the  cups  while  the  latex  is  being  collected,  the 
product  will  be  classified  as  sernamby.  Caucho  is  the  product  of  the 
caucho  tree  and  is  altogether  a  lower  grade  of  rubber. 

The  fact  that  Bolivian  rubber  is  classed  as  either  Para  or  Mol- 
lendo  on  the  foreign  market  does  an  injustice  to  Bolivia,  against 
'which  Bolivians  have  long  protested.  Amazonian  rubber  is  known 
to  the  rubber  trade  only  by  the  ultimate  port  of  shipment,  which 
is  generally  either  Para,  Brazil,  or  Mollendo,  Peru.  The  rubber 
from  the  country  about  the  lower  reaches  of  the  rivers  is  exported 
through  Para,  and  that  from  the  Beni  headwaters  is  sent  out  through 
the  Pacific  port  of  Mollendo.  However,  one  important  Liverpool 
house  lists  the  rubber  from  the  upper  Beni  as  Mapiri,  from  the  name 
of  the  river  along  which  most  of  it  is  collected. 

EXPORTS   FROM    1890  TO   1919. 

The  exports  of  rubber  from  Bolivia  during  the  period  1S90  to 
1919  were  as  follows  (1  kilo  =  2.2  pounds): 


Years. 

Kilos. 

Value  in 
bolivianos. 

1,260,000 
l,350,iiiiii 
1,422,000 
1,504,940 
2, 47.",,  linn 
3,070,300 
1,853,560 
6,551,280 
13,556,593 
8,210,000 
in.  (03,959 
9,151,  823 
5,910,334 
2,977,819 
l.  175,828 

Years. 

Kii.w          Value  In 
Kll"s'       bolivianos. 

1890 

294,000 
345,000 
363,400 

391, MS 

632,500 
820,400 
I.  i  10,712 
1,674,216 
;;.  155,955 
2,140,000 

:;,  165,063 
1,902,993 
1,321,034 

1,569,628 

1905. 

1,677,796 
1,929,608 
1,830,513 
2,606,591 
3,052,  153 
3,117,650 
3,645,551 
4,079,828 
5,  143,214 
1.  184,915 
5,054,847 
1,916,545 
5,843,213 
1,287,51 1 
5,347,323 

7  341  165 

1891 

1906. 

10  612  S48 

1892. 

1907. 

8  841  380 

1893 

I90S. 

11     - 

1894 

1908 

L'l   9I7   138 

1895. . . . 

1910. 

27  653  555 

1896 

1911. 

18,921,  192 
15  508  721 

1897 

L912 

1898 

!  1,651,647 

B.280, 37o 
10.768, 937 

13,291'.  _r,| 
15   : 

1899 

I'H  i 

1900..    . 

1915 

1901 .      . 

1916 

1902 

1917 

1903.... 

i i  038  hi  ' 

1904.. 

L919.     

Exports  of  L918  were  divided  into  2. Slid, ."ill!)  kilos  of  '"line,"  valued 
at  8,272,579  bolivianos,  and  1,427,005  kilos  of  "ordinary,"  valued  at 
2,765,463  bolivianos. 


FOREST   INDUSTRIES. 
RELATION  OF  RUBBER  TO  OTHER  EXPORTS. 


177 


The  relation  of  exports  of  rubber  to  the  total  export  trade  of  the 
Republic  from  1911  to  1918  is  shown  by  the  following  table: 


Percentage 
of  value. 

1911 22.89 

1912     17.20 

1913 12.58 

1915 11.31 


Percentage 
of  value. 

1916 13.09 

1917 9.79 

1918 6.04 


This  falling  percentage  is  largely  due  to  the  increase  in  the  ex- 
ports of  tin  and  other  minerals,  and  to  a  decrease  in  the  price  of 
rubber. 

UNITED  STATES  CHIEF  COUNTRY  OF  DESTINATION. 

In  1918  exports  of  fine  rubber  to  various  countries  were  as  follows: 


Kilos. 

Value. 

Countries. 

Kilos. 

Values. 

Countries. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Per 
cent. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Per 
cent. 

United  States 

2,404,334 
198,813 
141, 145 

6,966,424 
591,134 
418,044 

84.22 
7.15 
5.06 

Great  Britain 

Spain 

115,328 
715 
174 

294,015 

2,517 

443 

3.53 
.03 

Chile 

.01 

The  increasing  importance  of  the  United  States  as  a  buyer  of 
Bolivian  rubber  is  shown  by  the  following  table,  which  gives  the 
percentage  taken  by  the  chief  countries  of  destination  since  1912: 


Countries. 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

Per  cent. 

2.30 
30.2 
12.5 

9.5 
45.5 

Per  cent. 

3.7 
17.8 

8.9 
18.15 
50.9 

Per  cent. 

9.4 
10.75 

3.5 
12.9 
63.45 

Per  cent. 

91.7 

.3 

Per  cent. 
91.45 

Per  cent. 
83.98 

Per  cent. 
84.22 

1.4 

6.6 

2.27 
4.08 

6.81 
6.52 

7.15 

3.53 

178        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 
PRODUCTION  BY  DISTRICTS. 

The  production  of  rubber  by  districts  during  the  years  1911  to  1916 
was  as  follows: 


Year  and  district. 


Colonias — 

Beni 

La  Paz 

Santa  Cruz. 


1912. 


Quantity. 


Kilos.        Percent- 
age. 


1,617.072 

1,596,857 

315,150 

206,472 


Colonias 1 ,  895, 069 

Beni 1 ,  "S3, 563 

La  Paz '  926, 693 

Santa  Cruz 109, 503 

1913. 

Colonias 2 ,  S20, 935 

Beni !  1,907.056 

La  Paz 290,061 

Santa  Cruz 125, 161 

1914. 

Colonias 3. 933, 288 

Beni 1 49,281 

La  Paz 198, 645 

Santa  Cruz 203, 700 


1915 


Colonias — 

Beni 

La  I'az 

Santa  Cruz. 


991,005 
698,987 
is:,.  9*', 
178,957 


1916. 


Colonias 3,894,744 

Beni 608,144 

La  Paz 207, 743 

Santa  Cruz 205,913 


44.36 
41.33 
8.64 
5.66 


46.39 
43.66 
7.26 
2.69 


54.85 

37.06 

5.65 

2.44 


87.73 
3.32 
4.42 
4.53 


48.22 
34.01 
9.06 
8.71 


79.22 
12.37 
4.23 
4.18 


Value. 


Bolivianos. 


8,597,874 

7.762,151 
1,547,386 

1.013.770 


7,778,758 
6,393,720 

s', in.  i IT'. > 
446,161 


7,135,850 

li.  (UI.S'JS 

725,152 

389,815 


7,259,759 
276,279 
367, 481 
376,847 


s.77l,ss9 
!.  111,036 

1. ,;,.-,.-,.-, 
t.V..  145 


10,621,165 

1,619,228 

140,977 

610, 892 


Percent- 
age. 


45.  15 

41.02 

8.18 

5. 35 


.50.16 
41.23 
5.  74 
2.87 


8.71 

43.69 
4.94 
2.66 


87.68 
3.34 
I.  K 
4.55 


81.23 
12.99 
1.56 
4.22 


79.91 
12.18 
3.32 
4.59 


Exports  of  rubber  from  Bolivia  by  regions  during  1918  were  as 
follows : 

Bolivianos.  Bolivianos. 

Colonias 9, 831, 181     Santa  Cruz 465,  018 

Beni 602,986     Cochabamba 1,575 

La  Paz 134,282 

The  principal  customhouses  through  which  rubber  is  exported  are 
Villa  Bella,  ( ruayaramerin,  Cobija,  and  Abulia  for  Colonias  and  the 
Beni;  Puerto  Suarez  for  the  upper  Itenez  and  Santa  Cruz;  and  La 
Paz  and  Puerto  Acosta  for  the  upper  Beni  region. 

[Loan  copies  of  a  map  nrbicb  shows  the  Location  and  extent  of  nil  rubber  propert  tea 
may  be  obtained  from  the  Latin  American  Division,  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic 
Commerce.] 

QUININE  BARK. 

The  headwater  districts  of  the  Beni  affluents  are  the  principal 
source  of  the  Bolivian  supply  of  quinine  bark.  The  product  is  placed 
on  the  market  under  different  names,  such  as  "  cassarilla,"  "  calisaya," 
"cinchona,"  and  "quina."  The  bark  thai  is  stripped  from  the  trunk 
of  the  tree  is  known  as  "<|tiina  tabla,"  and  that  winch  is  stripped 
from  the  branches  is  called  "quina  canuto,"  or  "quill."  The  hark 
is  well  dried  and  exported  in  bundles  of  approximately  50  pounds. 


FOREST   INDUSTRIES.  179 

Until  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  this  industry  was  very 
prosperous,  the  price  of  the  bark  reaching  204  bolivianos  per  quintal  of 
about  101  pounds  in  1878  in  the  Yungas  of  La  Paz.  However,  with 
the  development  of  the  plantation  product  the  Bolivian  bark  was 
unable  to  hold  its  former  place  in  the  world  market.  During  the  last 
few  years  prices  have  again  become  more  favorable,  and  the  industry 
has  taken  on  new  life  in  Bolivia.  The  Apolo,  Mapiri,  Challena,  and 
Nor  Yungas  districts  are  the  principal  producers,  and  most  of  the 
exports  go  through  the  west-coast  ports  of  Arica  and  Mollendo. 

Exports  during  the  period  1913-1918  were  as  follows  (kilo  =  2,2046 
pounds):  1913,  41,183  kilos;  1914,  26,538  kilos;  1915,  78,561  kilos; 
1916,  158,488  kilos;  1917,  196,742  kilos;  1918,  168,919  kilos.  Of  the 
total  production  in  1918,  63.86  per  cent  went  to  the  United  States, 
15.81  per  cent  to  Great  Britain,  and  9.48  per  cent  to  Spain. 


MANUFACTURES. 

Manufacturing  industries  in  Bolivia  are  of  relatively  small  im- 
portance, as  might  be  expected  from  the  present  state  of  the  country's 
economic- development  and  the  absorption  of  its  attention  and 
surplus  capital  in  mining.  In  the  first  place,  the  labor  supply  that 
could  be  drawn  upon  to  furnish  factory  workers  is  small.  The 
Indian  is  out  of  the  question  for  this  class  of  work,  and  few  cholos 
have  the  acquaintance  with  machines  required  to  make  machine 
operators,  though  they  have  a  good  natural  aptitude  for  this  class 
of  work.  The  question  of  power  is  another  important  consideration 
in  the  manufacturing  field  in  Bolivia.  The  supply  of  native  fuel 
materials  is  very  deficient,  and  these  materials  are,  moreover,  ill 
suited  to  this  purpose.  They  consist  of  the  resinous  bush  called 
"tola,"  the  fungus  growth  known  as  "yareta,"  and  ''taquia"  or 
llama  dung.  The  plateau  region  is  virtually  devoid  of  trees,  and  the 
cost  of  bringing  firewood  from  the  forested  lowlands  is  prohibitive. 
Coal  is  not  mined  in  Bolivia,  and  the  cost  of  imported  coal  puts  it 
beyond  the  reach  of  manufacturers.  The  product  of  the  peat  beds 
along  the  Yungas  Railway  near  La  Paz  is  used,  so  far,  only  for  burn- 
ing brick  and  tile.  In  spite  of  high  prices,  fuel  oils  are  at  present 
the  most  practicable  source  of  factory  power  in  Bolivia. 

A  greater  development  of  the  large  water-power  possibilities  of  the 
country  would  furnish  the  needed  motive  force  for  manufacturing 
enterprises.  At  present  the  cost  of  electric  current  is  high  in  La  Paz 
and  Oruro,  though  more  reasonable  in  Cochabamba.  However, 
there  exist,  in  the  numerous  streams  that  flow  down  the  valleys  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  Andes,  vast  reserves  of  hydroelectric  energy. 
The  potential  power  of  these  streams  could  not  only  serve  for  heating 
the  plateau  cities  (a  need  keenly  felt  at  present)  but  could  supply 
the  industrial  enterprises  of  the  country  and  be  utilized  for  the 
electrification  of  its  railway  system,  now  dependent  on  coal. 

ALCOHOL. 

The  trade  in  alcohol  and  spirituous  liquors  in  Bolivia  constitutes  a 
monopoly,  formerly  farmed  out  to  private  interests,  but  now  con- 
ducted directly  l)\  the  Government.  However,  the  production  of 
these  commodities  and  the  retail  trade  in  them  is  in  the  hands  of 
private  individuals.  The  original  law  establishing  the  Estanco  de 
Bebidas  Espirituosas,  or  Monopoly  of  Alcoholic  Liquors,  was  passed 
in  1913  during  the  administration  of  President  Montes.  According 
to  this  law.  the  sale  and  distribution  of  alcohol  and  liquors  might 
either  be  retained  by  the  State  or  granted  to  some  concessionaire. 
Beer  and  wines  were  excluded  from  the  provisions  of  the  law. 

By  law  of  May  l  I,  1012.  a  concession  was  granted  to  Simon  Patiflo, 
the  tm-mining  magnate,  to  form  an  Estanco  <le  Alcoholes  y  Aguardi- 
entes Extranjeros  for  a  period  of  four  years  from  January  L,  1013 — 
that  is,  until  the  beginning  of  1017.     A  fixed  annual  sum  was  to  be 

180 


MANUFACTURES.  181 

paid  to  the  National  Treasury  by  the  concessionaire.  A  law  of 
March  26,  1914,  modified  the  previous  law  to  the  effect  that  the 
Estanco  would  pay,  after  the  first  of  1914,  1,400,000  bolivianos  a 
year  in  monthly  installments.  An  alleged  violation  of  the  conditions 
of  the  concession,  whereby  Sr.  Patino  sold  to  Portillo  &  Co.,  of 
Uyuni,  in  1916,  200  cans  of  alcohol  of  6  liters  each,  resulted  in  a 
serious  disagreement  between  the  Government  and  the  concessionaire, 
who  was  fined  1,538,304  bolivianos. 

Meanwhile,  on  January  23,  1918,  a  law  was  promulgated  placing 
the  monopoly  in  the  hands  of  the  State  for  a  duration  of  four  years. 
The  administration  of  the  monopoly  was  to  be  under  the  control  of 
the  Direccion  General  de  Impuestos  Internos  y  Renta  de  Alcoholes, 
or  Internal  Revenue  Office.  The  law  prohibited  the  private  importa- 
tion of  foreign  alcohol  and  liquors,  except  of  denatured  alcohol,  but 
stipulated  that  the  Government  might  import  such  articles  to  supply 
the  deficiency  from  the  national  production  up  to  the  following 
amounts  annually:  1918,  1,200,000  liters;  1919,  1,000,000  liters; 
1920,  750,000  liters;  and  1921,  500,000  liters.  During  the  first  half 
of  1918,  the  proceeds  to  the  Treasury  from  this  source  amounted  to 
669,971  bolivianos.  Most  of  the  alcohol  consumed  that  year  was 
imported  from  Peru,  through  the  agency  of  a  Lima  firm.  However, 
the  alcohol  market  was  disturbed  during  that  year  by  the  existence 
of  82,000  cans  which  Sr.  Patino  had  not  yet  disposed  of.  The  Gov- 
ernment fixed  the  price  of  alcohol  at  2.20  bolivianos  per  liter  and 
placed  a  tax  of  60  centavos  and  20  centavos,  respectively,  on  each 
liter  of  native  alcohol  and  liquors,  according  to  the  grade. 

The  aim  of  the  Government  has  been  to  stimulate  the  national 
production  of  alcohol  and  liquors  and  gradually  to  curtail  imports  to 
a  point  where  they  will  be  no  longer  necessary  to  supply  the  local 
market.  Alcohol  in  Bolivia  is  produced  from  both  sugar  cane  and 
cereals.  In  the  Province  of  Cinti,  in  the  Department  of  Chuquisaca, 
there  are  more  than  600  distilleries,  most  of  which,  however,  work 
on  a  very  small  scale.  At  Carapiri  on  the  Rio  Grande  there  is  a  large 
distillery  belonging  to  Jose  M.  Linares,  which  uses  the  production 
of  the  cane  fields  of  the  neighboring  river  valleys.  There  are  also 
distilleries  in  the  Provinces  of  Oropeza,  Yamparaez,  Tomina,  and 
Zudanez.  The  largest  producer  in  the  Department  of  La  Paz  is  the 
Canamina  estate  of  the  Sindicato  de  Bolivia,  located  in  the  Yungas 
region.  This  large  establishment  produces  about  120,000  liters  of  alco- 
hol a  year.  Other  plants  of  the  same  kind  in  this  region  are  owned  by 
Flores  Hnos.  and  Schuett  &  Cla.,  of  La  Paz.  The  Caracato,  Luribay, 
and  Araca  districts  of  the  Province  of  Loaiza  also  produce  consider- 
able quantities  of  brandies  from  grapes  and  peaches.  The  Charo- 
pampa  property  of  Benedicto  Goytia,  which  is  located  in  the  Mapiri 
district  of  the  Province  of  Larecaja,  contains  large  areas  of  sugar 
cane  which  are  utilized  for  the  production  of  alcohol. 

In  the  Department  of  Cochabamba  there  are  the  following  distilling 
plants:  That  of  Saipaina  Alta  in  the  Province  of  Aiquile,  belonging 
to  Juan  D.  Cespedes  and  using  sugar  cane;  the  La  Rinconada  factory 
between  Tarata  and  Cliza,  belonging  to  the  Fomento  Agricola  and 
working  on  a  basis  of  cereals;  the  Fabrica  Nacional  de  Quillacollo,  in 
the  town  of  that  name,  belonging  to  Jose  Urquidi;  and  the  Fabrica 
de  Changolla,  in  Sucre,  which  belongs  to  Juan  C.  Valdivia  and  uses 
cereals. 


182         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

In  the  Department  of  Oruro,  the  only  establishment  of  importance 
is  that  which  belongs  to  Carlos  Urquidi.  The  daily  production  of 
this  plant  is  about  1,000  liters  of  alcohol. 

The  Department  of  Santa  Cruz  is  an  important  producer  of  alcohol 
and  brandies,  because  of  the  large  extent  of  sugar  cane  grown  there 
which  can  not  be  used  for  the  manufacture  of  sugar.  The  introduc- 
tion of  Brazilian  sugar  into  the  Beni,  which  was  formerly  a  market 
for  Santa  Cruz  sugar,  forced  the  Bolivian  planters  to  utilize  their 
production  in  the  manufacture  of  alcohol  tor  sale  on  the  plateau. 
The  heaviest  producer  is  the  "Las  Barreas"  establishment  of  Zeller, 
Villinger  &  Co.,  with  a  capacity  of  nearly  350.000  liters  of  alcohol 
a  year.  Other  important  producers  are  Vicente  C.  Gutierrez  and 
Jose  A.  Justiniano.  There  are  241  establishments  producing  alcohol 
in  the  Department  of  Cercado.  The  second  largest  producing  area 
is  the  Province  of  Sara.  In  1918  the  production  of  the  Department 
amounted  to  352,058  liters  of  cane  brandy. 

BEERS  AND  WINES. 

Most  of  the  larger  cities  of  Bolivia  have  breweries,  which  are 
generally  controlled  by  German  interests.  In  La  Paz  are  the  Cerve- 
ceria  El  Inca  and  the  Cerveceria  Americana. 

There  are  two  breweries  situated  near  the  city  of  Cochabamba 
which  produce  a  very  good  grade  of  beer.  One  of  these,  the  Taquina, 
has  a  yearly  output  of  nearly  100,000  dozen  bottles,  and  the  other, 
the  Colon,  produces  about  half  that  quantity. 

The  Cerveceria  Germania  Calacala,  at  Oruro,  which  is  capitalized 
at  170,000  bolivianos,  produces  about  200,000  liters  of  beer  annually. 
There  are  also  breweries  at  Potosi,  Sucre,  and  Tarija. 

Wine  is  produced  at  Muyurina,  near  Cochabamba,  and  in  the 
Cinti  district  of  Chuquisaca.  At  Muyurina  the  firm  of  J.  C.  Torres 
e  Hijo  produces  about  20,000  liters  of  wine  a  year.  However,  this 
wine  is  still  of  inferior  quality,  and  considerable  quantities  of  adul- 
terated Chilean  wine  are  imported  for  the  local  market. 

FLOUR. 

A  flour  mill  in  Sucre,  which  is  fitted  with  French  machinery,  is 
furnished  with  power  by  an  American  engine.  The  present  capacity 
of  the  mill  is  about  2,600  pounds  of  flour  per  day;  this  will  shortly 
be  more  than  doubled.  The  flour  is  of  excellent  quality— probably 
the  best  produced  in  Bolivia — and  compares  very  favorably  with  the 
imported  Chilean  product.  The  entire  product  of  the  mill  is  used  in 
a  modern  bakery  operated  in  the  city,  which  is  equipped  with  German 
bread-making  machinery  and  uses  nearly  2  tons  of  flour  per  day. 

Wheat  of  good  grain  and  head  is  produced  in  considerable  quantity 
in  the  Cochabamba  valleys,  though  the  production  per  acre  is  not 
large.  The  wheat  crop  is  harvested  with  the  sickle  and  thrashed  by 
driving  oxen  over  the  straw.  Though  most  of  the  wheat  is  ground 
in  the  Department,  some  of  the  crop  is  sent  to  other  points  in  Bolivia. 
There  aic  numerous  small  flour  mills,  located  near  the  l>ase  of  the 
mountains,  where  they  utilize  the  water  power  from  mountain  st  reams 
to  operate  a  stone  hurr.  The  most  modern  null  in  the  Department 
i-  that  of  the  Empresa  Luz  y  Fuerza,  which  is  situated  within  the 


MANUFACTURES.  183 

city  of  Cochabamba.  There  is  one  other  mill  of  a  similar  character. 
The  flour  made  by  the  smaller  concerns  is  coarse,  and  some  of  it 
contains  a  fair  proportion  of  bran.  Except  in  the  case  of  the  better- 
grade  flour  produced  by  the  two  modernly  equipped  mills,  the  local 
product  is  mixed  with  imported  Chilean  flour.  There  should  be  a 
good  field  for  flour  milling  on  a  large  and  modern  scale  in  the  locality 
of  Cochabamba,  where  sufficient  water  power  is  available,  and  where 
the  area  sown  to  wheat  could  be  greatly  increased.  The  price  of  wheat 
ranges  from  10  to  14  bolivianos  per  quintal.  Imports  of  flour  and 
wheat  from  Chile  alone  during  1918  amounted  to,  respectively, 
13,806,775  and  318,575  kilos,  with  a  total  customs  value  of  about 
2,230,000  bolivianos.  It  is  understood  that  a  British  importing  firm 
plans  the  establishment  of  a  large  flour  mill  in  Cochabamba. 

CANDIES  AND  CHOCOLATE. 

Candies,  especially  chocolate  creams  of  excellent  quality,  are  pro- 
duced in  Sucre.  These  chocolates  are  sold  in  a  shoe  store  in  La  Paz, 
but  the  production  is  far  from  sufficient  to  supply  the  local  demand. 
Bar  chocolate  is  also  produced  in  Cochabamba  and  Santa  Cruz.  In 
1918,  28,328  kilos  of  candies  were  imported,  and  from  all  appearances 
a  considerably  larger  quantity  was  imported  during  both  1919  and 
1920.  Though  Argentine  and  Chilean  candies  are  sold  in  Bolivia, 
the  higher-grade  goods  in  this  line  come  from  England  and  the 
United  States.  American  confectionery,  manufactured  in  California, 
is  becoming  a  common  sight  in  stores  in  the  plateau  cities. 

SUGAR. 

The  sugar-refining  industry,  which  is  largely  confined  to  the  De- 
partment of  Santa  Cruz,  is  described  under  the  heading  of  "Agricul- 
ture" (see  p.  167). 

MATCHES. 

The  exclusive  privilege  of  manufacturing  matches  in  Bolivia  is 
held  by  the  Fabrica  Nacional  de  Fosforos,  or  National  Match  Factory. 
The  monopoly  is  held  by  English  interests,  whose  concession  dates 
from  1917  and  is  to  expire  in  1927.  The  company  operates  on  a 
capital  of  £88,000.  The  equipment  of  the  factory  is  of  American 
make.  Both  wax  and  wooden  matches  are  made.  By  a  law  of  1912 
the  Departments  of  El  Beni  and  Santa  Cruz  were  excluded  from  the 
prohibition  of  the  sale  of  foreign  matches  provided  for  in  the  con- 
cession to  the  "estanco,"  or  monopoly.  In  1918,  5,732  kilos  of 
British  and  Brazilian  matches  were  imported  into  the  Colonias  region 
through  Cobija  and  Abuna. 

There  have  been  frequent  complaints  in  Bolivia  against  the  match 
monopoly,  on  the  score  both  of  the  quality  of  its  product  and  of  the 
inadequacy  of  its  output  to  supply  the  needs  of  the  country.  The 
former  charge,  particularly  as  regards  the  wooden  matches,  is  un- 
justified, but  there  is  no  doubt  that  production  at  times  has  not 
been  up  to  the  demand  for  matches.  The  writer  witnessed  the  work- 
ing of  a  match  famine  in  Sucre  in  April,  1920.  In  1918  an  effort 
was  made  in  the  Senate  to  annul  the  existing  concession.  The 
Compania  Administradora,  or  concessionaire  company,  is  obliged  to 
pay  the  Government  the  fixed  annual  sum  of  70,000  bolivianos. 


184        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 
LEATHER  GOODS  AND  TANNING. 

In  addition  to  the  tanneries  operated  in  connection  with  the  two 
large  shoe  factories  in  Oruro  and  La  Paz,  there  are  several  tanning 
establishments  in  the  country.  Among  these  is  the  Empress  Na- 
cional  deCurtiduria  at  Cochabamba,  capitalized  at  300,000 bolivianos, 
which  produces  a  good  quality  of  leather.  In  addition  to  a  regular 
tanning  business,  the  German  firm  of  Freudenthal  Hermanos  in  La 
Paz  manufactures  leather  articles  of  a  wide  variety  and  leather 
clothing  of  a  very  good  grade.  The  tanning  of  cowhides  for  sole 
leather  is  an  important  industry  in  the  Beni  country  about  Trinidad 
and  in  the  region  of  Santa  Cruz.  Most  of  the  product  is  sold  in  the 
cities  of  the  plateau.     Local  tanning  materials  are  used. 

BOOTS  AND  SHOES. 

The  shoe-manufacturing  industry  is  rapidly  being  developed  in 
Bolivia  to  a  point  where  it  will  be  able  to  supply  the  entire  national 
demand  for  footwear.  The  principal  shoe  factory  at  present  is  the 
Fabrica  Nacional  de  Calzado,  in  Oruro.  This  concern  belongs  to 
Julio  Zamora,  who  is  one  of  the  principal  leaders  of  the  Liberal  Party 
and  at  the  time  of  the  revolution  in  July,  1920,  was  Minister  of  Fi- 
nance. At  that  time  Zamora  was  deported  from  the  country  and 
his  factory  temporarily  closed.  It  was  undoubtedly  because  of 
Zamora's  strong  influence  in  the  Government  that  the  import  duties 
on  shoes  were  placed  on  a  protective  basis.  This  business  originally 
belonged  to  a  Basque  named  Elisetclie,  but  was  acquired  by  Sr. 
Zamora  during  1917.  The  value  of  the  business  is  said  to  be  over 
800,000  bolivianos.  This  concern  has  the  exclusive  right  to  intro- 
duce the  product  of  the  United  Shoe  Machinery  Co.  into  Bolivia, 
though  this  privilege  expires  in  1923.  A  well-equipped  tannery  oper- 
ated in  connection  with  the  plant  supplies  nearly  all  the  leather  used 
in  the  shoes.  Other  materials  are  largely  bought  in  the  United 
States,  except  the  patent  leather,  which  is  now  being  imported  from 
Argentina.  The  daily  output  of  the  factory  is  about  500  pairs  of 
shoes.  A  large  variety  of  styles  is  produced,  some  of  them  on  up-to- 
date  American  lasts.     Between  150  and  200  workmen  are  employed. 

In  1917  another  concern,  Garcia  &  Cia.',  began  the  manufacture  of 
shoes,  with  American  machinery  bought  at  second  hand  in  Buenoa 
Aires  and  brought  in  by  oxcarts  over  the  Tupiza  road  from  La  Quiaca. 
This  firm  has  built  up  a  good  business  throughout  the  country  and. 
like  Zamora  &  Co.,  has  exclusive  retail  agents  in  the  more  important 
cities.  From  250  to  300  pairs  a  day  are  produced.  In  addition  to 
these  two  firms,  there  is  a  considerable  domestic  production  of  shoe-. 
in  small  shops  employing  from  two  to  six  workmen. 

NAILS. 

In  August,  1919,  the  Fabrics  Nacional  deClavos,  or  National  Nail 
Factory,  began  operations  in  La  Paz.  Half  the  stock  of  the  com- 
pany .  \\  lii'li  is  capitalized  at  120,000  bolivianos,  is  held  by  the  man- 
ager, Antonio  Aguslin.  and  the  other  half  is  held  by  Kortunato  Iler- 
manos,  a  prominent  firm  of  contractors  and  dealers  in  construction 
materials.     Sr.  Agustin  is  an  Aragonese  Spaniard,  and  the  Fortunate 

brothers  arc  of  Argentine  nationality. 


MANUFACTURES.  185 

The  factory  is  equipped  with  three  machines  which  were  purchased 
at  second  hand  in  Chile  and  whose  origin  is  unknown,  as  they  bear 
no  marks  of  the  factory  that  made  them.  During  1920  some  new 
equipment  was  ordered  from  the  United  States.  The  wire  used  is 
also  imported  from  the  United  States.  Fifteen  sizes  of  ordinary 
steel  builder's  nails  and  10  sizes  of  furniture  nails,  besides  roofing 
nails,  are  made.  The  nails  made  appear  to  be  of  very  good  quality. 
The  greatest  difficulty  that  the  factory  has  had  to  face  nas  been  the 
lack  of  competent  and  dependable  labor.  However,  it  is  planned  to 
bring  in  Chilean  workmen  in  order  to  increase  the  output.  To  the 
end  of  March,  1920,  only  about  600  Spanish  quintals  (about  60,150 
pounds)  of  nails  had  been  turned  out,  which  is  estimated  to  be  the 
national  consumption  of  nails  for  two  months. 

Imports  of  wire  nails  into  Bolivia  for  the  years  1915-1918  were  as 
follows:  1915,  116,504  kilos;  1916,  168,236  kilos;  1917,  237,034  kilos; 
1918,  139,650  kilos.  Imports  by  countries  in  1918  were  as  follows- 
Chile,  55,635  kilos;  United  States,  55,312  kilos;  Peru,  13,391  kilos; 
Brazil,  12,859  kilos;  Argentina,  1,568  kilos;  Great  Britain,  661  kilos; 
and  Uruguay,  224  kilos.  Of  other  classes  of  nails  there  were  im- 
ported, during  1918,  86,555  kilos;  of  these,  25,794  kilos  came  from 
Chile;  25,396  kilos  from  the  United  States;  21,717  kilos  from  Great 
Britain;  5,450  kilos  from  Sweden;  3,749  kilos  from  Argentina;  3,520 
kilos  from  Peru;  and  the  rest  from  Brazil  and  France. 

In  1920  the  duty  on  steel  wire  nails  was  fixed  at  0.08  centavo  per 
kilo. 

This  factory  has  also  begun  the  making  of  mosaics  for  floors  and 
paving,  and  it  is  intended  to  increase  the  production  in  this  branch 
of  the  business.  Artificial  marble  is  also  being  produced,  washbasins 
and  sinks  for  kitchens  being  the  only  objects  so  far  made  of  this 
material. 

CIGARETTES. 

The  manufacture  of  cigarettes  in  Bolivia  constitutes  an  "estanco" 
or  monopoly  of  the  National  Government.  By  law  of  January  7, 
1914,  the  Government  decided  to  "farm  out"  to  private  interests 
the  complete  control  over  the  manufacture  and  importation  of 
tobacco  in  Bolivia.  The  contract  for  the  "estanco"  was  let  out  to 
Nestor  Villa,  proprietor  of  the  tobacco  manufacturing  firm  known  as 
"La  Sucrense,"  and  Federico  Mauri  &  Cia.,  owners  of  the  Compania 
General  de  Tabacos.  According  to  the  arrangement  made  between 
the  State  and  these  interests,  the  latter  were  to  form  a  corporation 
to  be  known  as  the  Compania  Administradora  de  Tabacos,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  2,500,000  bolivianos.  The  Government  was  to  have 
60  per  cent  of  the  net  profits  and  the  concessionaires  40  per  cent. 
By  a  subsequent  decree  of  the  Government  the  Beni  district  of  the 
Republic  was  exempted  from  the  control  of  the  monopoly.  This 
was  done  because  of  the  difficulties  of  transportation  between  the 
plateau  and  the  rubber  country  along  the  Beni  and  its  tributaries, 
and  also  as  a  recognition  of  the  ease  with  which  contraband  tobacco 
could  be  brought  in  from  Brazil.  In  this  region  the  German  firm  of 
Zeller,  Villinger  &  Co.,  with  stations  at  Riberalta,  Trinidad,  and 
other  points  has  been  endowed  with  the  exclusive  privilege  of  trading 
in  tobacco.     Virtually  all  the  tobacco  consumed  in  this  region  is 


186         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    ANIi   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

imported  from  Brazil,  though  some  is  produced  in  the  Department  of 
El  Beni  itself. 

The  net  profits  of  the  "  estanco  "  during  1018  and  the  first  half-year 
of  1919  were  as  follows:  First  six  months  of  1918,  476,113  bolivianos; 
second  six  months  of  1918,  532,145  bolivianos;  first  six  months  of 
1919,  521,537  bolivianos. 

The  tobacco  used  by  the  "estanco"  for  the  manufacture  of  ciga- 
rettes is  produced  in  the  regions  of  Bolivia  that  lie  to  the  east  of  the 
Andes.  Of  195,499  pounds  of  tobacco  used  by  the  "estanco" 
during  1918,  110,010  pounds  came  from  the  Vallegrande  district, 
which  lies  between  Sucre  and  Santa  Cruz,  and  77,053  pounds  were 
produced  in  the  Azero  and  Tomina  districts  of  the  Department  of 
Chuquisaca.  The  rest  came  from  the  Departments  of  Tarija  and 
Cochabamba,  with  small  quantities  from  the  Department  of  Potosi. 
A  fixed  price  is  paid  to  the  producers  of  these  different  regions  by  the 
agencies  of  the  "estanco" — an  arrangement  that  has  caused  great 
discontent  among  the  growers. 

No  cigars  are  made  by  the  "estanco,"  its  production  being  limited 
to  cigarettes  and  pipe  tobacco.  Four  grades  of  cigarettes  are  made, 
which  retail  at,  respectively,  10,  20,  30,  and  40  centavos  per  package 
of  14  cigarettes.  These  cigarettes  are  very  strong,  but  otherwise  of 
good  quality. 

The  most  important  of  the  several  cigarette  factories  of  the 
"estanco"  is  situated  at  Sucre.  It  is  a  clean  and  well-lighted 
establishment,  equipped  largely  with  British  machinery,  though 
there  are  a  few  French  and  German  machines.  More  than  60  workers 
are  employed.  During  the  second  half-year  of  1919  there  were 
manufactured  here  2,707,300  packages  of  cigarettes,  out  of  a  total  of 
3,732,050  packages  made  in  all  the  factories  of  the  "estanco." 
In  addition,  2,087  pounds  of  pipe  tobacco  were  produced. 

Imports  of  tobacco  in  various  forms  during  the  years  1914-1918 
were  as  follows: 


Fears. 

Leaf 

tobacco. 

Pi  po 
tobacco. 

Cigars. 

Cisa- 
rettes. 

1914                

SUM. 

2,416 
1.  194 
!.  136 
1 .  287 
432 

Kilos. 
920 

till! 

2,143 

1.  170 

SUM. 

727 

1 .  325 

2,835 

Kilos. 

1915                       

1 ,  739 

1916                          

1 .  775 

HU7                                        

3,635 

■ 

Note.— The  Increa  tee  or  decreases  In  the  five-year  period  were:  Leaf  tobacco,  di  i  rea  e  of  78.75  i*t  cent 
pipe  tobacco,  Increase  ol  59.63  per  cent;  cigars,  increa  e  oi  227.84  per  oent;  cigarettes,  Increase  of  304.7 
[x-r  cent. 


All  the  leaf  tobacco  imported  into  Bolivia  is  broughl  in  from 
Brazil  by  the  Amazon  route  and  entered  at  Cobija  and  Ahun.i. 
Of  the  pipe  tobacco  imported  in  1918,  811  kilos  came  from  Great 
Britain  and  the  remainder  from  Brazil.  Imports  of  cigars  wciv 
distributed  as  follows:  Cuba,  1,756  kilos;  Brazil,  37.">  kilos;  Nether- 
lands, 248  kilos;  Argentina.  5  kilos;  United  States,  I  kilo.  Brazil 
furnished  2,697  kilos  of  the  total  imports  of  cigarettes,  largely  for  the 
Beni-Mamore  region;  Cuba,  892  kilos;  Great  Britain,  L88  kilos,  and 
the  United  State-,  one-half  kilo.    Though  the  United  States  held 


MANUFACTURES.  187 

a  negligible  place  in  the  tobacco  trade  of  Bolivia  during  this  period, 
American  cigarettes  and  pipe  tobacco  have  begun  to  enter  the  market 
in  increasing  quantities  in  1919  and  1920.  The  customs  values  of 
imports  of  tobaccos  during  1918  were  as  follows:  Leaf  tobacco,  518 
bolivianos;  pipe  tobacco,  1,764  bolivianos;  cigars,  13,357  bolivianos; 
cigarettes,  15,900  bolivianos;  total,  31,539  bolivianos. 

Leaf  and  pipe  tobaccos  imported  into  Bolivia  pay  a  duty  of  4 
bolivianos  per  kilo.  Cigarettes  pay  a  duty  of  5.50  bolivianos  per 
kilo,  while  cigars  pay  7  bolivianos  per  kilo. 

The  existence  of  the  "estanco"  constitutes  the  greatest  obstacle 
to  the  development  of  a  market  in  Bolivia  for  foreign  tobaccos. 
Whatever  foreign  tobaccos  are  sold  in  the  country  are  imported  by 
the  "estanco,"  which  in  turn  sells  to  the  local  retailers.  Most  of  the 
foreign  cigarettes  sold  are  packed  in  air-tight  tins  of  50  or  in  packages 
of  10.  The  smaller  packages  of  the  standard  brands  on  sale  retail  at 
1  boliviano,  though  the  most  popular  American  brand  on  the  market 
sells  at  1.20  bolivianos.  The  demand  for  cigarettes  of  this  kind  is 
limited  to  the  American  and  British  communities,  travelers  of  the 
same  nationalities,  and  the  more  well-to-do  Bolivians.  Probably 
60  per  cent  of  the  native  Bolivians  do  not  smoke  at  all.  This  is 
largely  due  to  the  wide  use  of  coca  among  the  Indian  population. 

WOOLENS. 

It  is  probable  that  almost  1,000,000  pounds  of  wool  are  used 
annually  in  Bolivia  for  the  manufacture  of  the  woolen  stuffs  worn  by 
the  natives.  There  are  no  manufacturing  plants  engaged  in  the 
production  of  woolens  on  an  industrial  scale,  as  in  Peru,  but  a  local 
company  was  formed  in  1920  for  that  purpose.  However,  nearly  all 
the  Indian  women  of  the  country  districts  engage  in  weaving  woolen 
shawls,  ponchos,  and  other  articles  of  wear.  Some  very  fair  cloth  for 
suitings  is  also  made,  the  clothing  worn  by  the  cholo  class  being 
largely  made  from  this  domestic  material.  The  equipment  used  in 
weaving  is  of  a  very  primitive  sort. 


LABOR  CONDITIONS. 

Through  various  phases  of  labor  in  Bolivia  have  been  discussed 
under  other  headings,  some  factors  in  the  situation  remain  for  con- 
sideration. Racially,  Bolivian  labor  is  either  Indian  or  cholo,  and 
so  naturally  shares  in  the  characteristics  of  these  two  ethnic  elements. 
In  intelligence  the  cholo  is  distinctly  superior  to  the  Indian,  whose 
naturally  none-too-active  mind  is  further  clouded  by  his  chronic 
addiction  to  coca  chewing.  However,  though  both  the  Indian  and 
the  cholo  are  slow  workers,  the  cholo  surpasses  the  Indian  in  initia- 
tive and  in  possessing  the  elements  of  ambition  and  curiosity  that 
make  him  a  more  progressive  and  adaptable  workman.  Thus  he  is 
capable  of  attaining  to  considerably  higher  efficiency  and  skill  as  a 
mechanic.  Though  the  cholo  is  superior  in  these  respects,  the  Indian, 
who  has  had  his  spirit  of  assertiveness  crushed  out  by  centuries  of 
subjection  to  authority,  is  more  amenable  to  control  and  discipline 
and  is,  moreover,  more  generally  dependable.  His  honesty  is  usually 
above  reproach.  However,  on  feast  days  he  generally  drinks  to 
such  an  extent  that  it  requires  several  days  for  him  to  recover.  Yet 
the  Indians  comprise  the  great  mass  of  unskilled  laborers  in  the  cities, 
on  the  farms,  and  in  the  mines. 

Because  of  their  caste  prejudice  against  manual  labor,  there  are 
very  few  whites  among  the  working  class  of  Bolivia.  There  is  little 
place  for  foreign  labor,  except  in  places  demanding  special  skill.  In 
any  other  lines,  foreign  laborers  can  scarcely  compete  with  the  cheap, 
if  less  efficient,  native  labor.  It  must  also  be  remembered  in  this 
connection  that  the  physical  efficiency  of  foreign  labor  is  considerably 
less  in  these  high  altitudes  than  at  sea  level.  The  only  field  for  the 
immigration  of  hardy  foreign  workmen  would  be  in  special  construc- 
tion enterprises,  as  in  the  building  of  railways.  The  native  labor 
supply  is  small,  and  this  condition  is  somewhat  aggravated  by  the 
migration  of  Bolivian  workmen  to  the  nitrate  fields  of  northern  Chile. 
Moreover,  the  normal  rate  of  increase  of  the  population  is  small, 
especially  because  of  the  high  infant  mortality  among  the  lower 
classes. 

The  initiation  of  a  large  enterprise  which  offered  employment  bo  a 
few  thousand  men  at  wages  a  little  higher  than  the  current  scale  of 
pay  in  the  country  would  seriously  disturb  the  national  labor  market. 
This  very  circumstance  occurred  in  1920,  causing  a  dearth  of  workmen 
on  jobs  already  under  way,  as  on  the  construction  of  the  Yungas 
Railway. 

Current  wages  in  several  lines  are  as  follows:  Masons,  5  to  6  boli- 
vianos :i  day  for  a  9-hour  day;  carpenters,  6  to  7  bolivianos,  9  hours; 
blacksmiths,  6  to  7  bolivianos,  9  hours;  street  railway  motormen, 
120  bolivianos  for  month  of  15  days;  street  railway  conductors,  100 
bolivianos  for  month  of  1  5  days;  store  clerks,  00  to  100  bolivianos  a 
month,  for  day  of  s  or  0  hours.  In  one  of  the  stores  employees  are 
paid  from  120  to  ISO  bolivianos. 

IKS 


LABOR   CONDITIONS.  189 

Labor  is  not  highly  organized  in  Bolivia.  In  only  a  few  lines  are 
there  "grennios"  or  associations  of  workmen,  though  the  present 
tendency  is  distinctly  in  that  direction,  especially  among  the  more 
skilled  workers.  The  employees  of  the  Bolivia  Railway  probably 
have  the  strongest  association  in  the  country,  partly  because  of  their 
close  connections  with  their  fellow  workmen  on  the  Chilean  section 
of  the  through  line  from  Antofagasta. 

Until  recently,  strikes  were  unknown  in  Bolivia.  However,  in 
1919  there  was  a  strike  at  the  Llallagua  tin  mines,  and  there  was  a 
strike  of  the  telegraphers  on  the  Government  lines  in  1920.  There 
have  also  been  difficulties  with  labor  on  the  Bolivia  Railway  system. 


COLONIZATION  IMMIGRATION,  AND  LANDS. 

Matters  connected  with  colonization  of  public  lands  in  Bolivia  are 
now  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Minister  of  War  and  Colonization, 
though  the  portfolio  of  Colonization  was  formerly  more  appropriately 
associated  with  that  of  Agriculture.  A  bureau  of  the  joint  ministry 
known  as  the  "Section  of  Colonization"  has  charge  of  colonial  affairs. 
Formerly  the  prefects  of  Departments  and  the  delegates  of  the  na- 
tional Territories  were  endowed  with  considerable  jurisdiction  in 
questions  regarding  public  lands,  but  authority  is  now  largely  con- 
centrated in  the  hands  of  the  ministry  at  La  Paz.  Inquiries  for 
information  regarding  public  lands  should  be  addressed:  "  Jefe  de  la 
Seccion  de  Colonizacion,  Ministerio  de  Guerra  y  Colonizacion,  La 
Paz."  A  copy  of  the  compiled  statutes  and  decrees  on  the  subject 
may  be  consulted  at  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce, 
by  referring  to  "Legislacion  de  Tierras  Baldias."  Maps  prepared 
by  the  cartographical  department  of  the  Public  Land  Office  showing 
lands  ceded  are  on  file  in  the  Latin  American  division  of  the  Bureau 
of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce. 

FUNDAMENTAL  LEGISLATION— ZONES  SET  ASIDE  FOR  COLONIZATION. 

Though  temporarily  suspended  since  September  11,  1915,  the 
fundamental  colonial  legislation  of  Bolivia  consists  of  the  law  of 
October  26,  1905,  generally  known  as  the  "Ley  de  Tierras  Baldias 
del  Estado."  At  that  time  Ismael  Montes  was  President  of  the 
Republic,  and  Manuel  Vicente  Ballivian  was  Minister  of  Colonization 
and  Agriculture.  This  law  superseded  such  previous  dispositions  as 
those  of  November  13,  1886,  and  December  10,  1895.  The  "regla- 
mento"  or  regulatory  decree,  which  provided  for  the  enforcement  of 
the  basic  law  and  interpreted  its  provisions  in  detail,  was  issued  on 
June  20,  1907.  According  to  the  law  of  1905  any  Bolivian  citizen 
or  foreigner  capable  of  assuming  the  obligations  of  the  civil  law  of 
the  Republic  might  buy  from  the  State  public  lands  to  a  maximum 
extent  of  20,000  hectares.  For  these  he  was  to  pay  at  the  rate  of 
10  centavos  per  hectare,  in  case  the  lands  were  agricultural  or  pas- 
toral. This  would  amount  to  2,000  bolivianos  for  -JO, 000  licet  ares. 
or  at  the  rate  of  about  $775  per  49,400  acres.  If  the  lands  acquired 
contained  rubber-bearing  trees,  the  price  was  to  be  1  boliviano  per 
hectare.  The  purchasers  were  obliged  to  settle  at  least  one  family  on 
each  1,000  hectares  of  land.  Sales  of  land  in  excess  of  20,000  hectares 
might  be  obtained  only  with  the  express  consent  of  the  National 
Congress.  Provision  was  made  for  locating  and  demarking  each  lot 
by  two  surveyors,  one  of  whom  was  to  be  in  the  service  of  the  Gov- 
ernment and  the  other  employed  by  the  buyer,  unless  the  latter 
agreed  to  accept  the  survey  made,  by  the  public  surveyor.  The  sale 
of  lands  under  this  taw  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  executive 
branch  of  the  Government,  in  effect  the  Ministry  of  Colonization, 
and  of  the  national  delegates  in  the  different  frontier  districts.     The 

L90 


COLONIZATION,    IMMIGRATION,   AND   LANDS.  191 

"reglamento"  of  1907  provided  that  proposals  for  the  purchase  of 
lands  might  also  be  made  directly  to  the  prefect  of  the  Department 
in  which  the  lands  lay. 

Before  the  passage  of  the  fundamental  law  a  decree  of  April  25 
of  the  same  year  set  aside  for  purposes  of  colonization  the  following 
zones  of  the  Republic: 

A.  Territory  of  Colonias,  17,250  square  kilometers. — The  southeastern  part  of  this 
territory  bounded  by  the  Tambopata  River  from  its  confluence  with  the  San  Bias  to 
its  mouth  in  the  Madre  de  Dios;  the  Madre  de  Dios  to  its  junction  with  the  Heath; 
the  line  that  joins  this  point  with  the  confluence  of  the  Chunini  and  Madidi  Rivers: 
and  the  course  of  the  latter  river  to  its  source  in  the  mountains. 

B.  Department  of  La  Paz,  14,500  square  kilometers. — The  region  in  the  Province  of 
Caupolican  between  the  Rivers  Beni,  Madidi,  and  Sayuba  and  the  chain  of  moun- 
tains separating  the  sources  of  the  last  two  streams. 

C.  Department  of  El  Beni,  12,850  square  kilometers.— The  area  in  the  Province  of 
Itenez  lying  between  the  Mamore  and  the  Itenez,  the  meridian  64°  west  of  Green- 
wich, and  the  parallel  13°  south. 

D.  Department  of  El  Beni,  17,000  square  kilometers. — This  zone  lay  in  the  same 
Province,  and  comprised  the  country  between  the  Rivers  Paragua  and  Itenez-Guapore 
and  the  limits  of  El  Beni  with  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz. 

E.  Department  of  Cochabamba,  18,500  square  kilometers.— This  region  consisted  of 
the  basins  of  the  Rivers  Isiboro  and  Secure,  in  the  Provinces  of  Ayopaya  and  Chapare. 

F.  Department  of  Santa  Cruz,  92,800  square  kilometers.— This  large  tract  of  land  lay 
in  the  Provinces  of  Velasco,  Chiquitos,  and  Cordillera.  The  first  and  northern  section 
comprised  the  region  between  the  River  Paragua,  the  boundary  of  zone  C,  the  River 
Verde,  and  the  Brazilian  frontier.  The  central  section  of  the  zone  comprised  the 
lands  situated  between  the  Rivers  Sapocos,  Oriental,  San  Miguel,  and  San  Luis  and 
the  highlands  in  which  they  rise.  The  third  and  southeastern  section  comprised  the 
basin  of  the  River  Otuquis,  the  highlands  of  San  Juan  and  Sunsas  and  the  land 
about  the  headwaters  of  the  Rivers  San  Fernando,  Santo  Corazon,  and  La  Caique, 
which  rise  in  the  Sunsas  Hills. 

G.  Department  of  Chuquisaca,  67,750  square  kilometers. — This  zone  comprised  the 
central  and  eastern  parts  of  the  Province  of  Azero. 

H.  Department  of  Tarija,  30,250  square  kilometers. — This  zone  embraced  the  lands 
in  the  Province  of  Gran  Chaco  lying  between  the  twenty-first  parallel,  the  Pilcomayo 
River,  the  sixty-first  meridian,  and  a  line  running  parallel  to  the  Pilcomayo  at  a 
distance  of  111  kilometers  (69  miles)  from  that  river. 

SMALL  BENEFIT  TO  STATE— SUSPENSION  OF  ORIGINAL  LAW. 

Under  the  provisions  of  the  law  of  1905  fiscal  lands  were  granted 
with  such  reckless  prodigality  that  the  Government  at  last  took  alarm 
and,  by  law  of  September  11,  1915,  suspended  entirely  the  operation 
of  the  former  law.  The  only  recourse  left  to  persons  desiring  to 
acquire  public  lands  was  by  petition  to  the  National  Congress,  a  slow 
and  costly  process.  The  time  first  allowed  for  the  perfection  of  titles 
was  successively  extended  to  the  end  of  1920. 

To  the  middle  of  1919  final  titles  had  been  granted  to  the  following 
extents  of  territory: 

Department:                                      Hectares.      Department  (continued):  Hectare. 

El  Beni 1,233,100 

Territory  of  Colonias 4,  610,  051 

Territory  of  the  Chaco. . .  2,  373,  743 

Territory  of  Oriente 497,  537 

Total 13,426,550 


Chuquisaca 527,691 

La  Paz 282,947 

Cochabamba 649,  437 

Potosi 30 

Tarija 272,137 

Santa  Cruz 2,979,877 


Nearly  all  the  lands  sold  in  the  Territory  of  Colonias  were  acquired 
by  the  great  rubber  interests  of  Suarez  Hermanos.  The  German  firm 
of  Staudt  &  Co.  acquired  more  than  1,000,000  hectares  along  the 
Pilcomayo,  but  have  failed  to  perfect  their  title  to  another  large  area 


192        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

to  which  they  had  pretensions.  Manuel  Pena  was  granted  1,462,500 
hectares  in  the  Paragua  Basin  of  the  Department  of  Santa  Cruz. 

The  small  benefit  to  the  State  from  these  cessions  has  been  entirely 
disproportionate  to  the  vast  extent  of  the  lands  ceded.  In  the  Su- 
preme Decree  of  May  22,  1915,  President  Montes  declared  that  "the 
innumerable  holdings  granted  up  to  the  present,  with  no  other  require- 
ments than  priority  of  claim  and  the  payment  of  10  centavos  per 
hectare  have  in  no  way  favored  colonization,  much  less  aided  the 
agricultural  and  pastoral  development  of  the  lands  ceded."  ■  And  in 
1919  Jose  S.  Quinteros,  Minister  of  Colonization,  said:  "The  law  of 
October  26,  1905,  had  an  effect  opposite  from  that  hoped  for  in  the 
original  plan  of  colonization,  giving  rise  to  the  exhaustion  of  the 
fiscal  lands,  which  have  passed  in  vast  areas  to  dead  hands.  These 
constitute  veritable  latifundia,  that  are  of  no  advantage  to  the 
nation,  since  they  remain  uncultivated.  *  *  *  The  concessionaires 
hold  their  estates  with  the  sole  object  of  reselling  them  to  foreign 
enterprises,  from  whom  they  expect  to  receive  fat  profits."  The 
insignificant  tax  of  one-half  centavo  per  hectare  levied  on  lands 
sold  for  purposes  of  colonization  was  not  sufficient  to  force  the 
owners  to  develop  their  holdings. 

ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THREE  NATIONAL  TERRITORIES. 

One  of  the  principal  objects  in  the  establishment  of  the  three 
national  territories  of  Colonias,  Gran  Chaco,  and  Oriente  was  the 
promotion  of  colonization  in  those  vast  undeveloped  regions  of  the 
Republic.  The  first  of  these  was  organized  as  the  Territory  of  the 
Colonies  of  the  Northwest  (Territorio  de  Las  Colonias  del  Noroeste) 
by  a  law  of  October  28,  1890,  for  the  government  of  the  region  of 
the  Acre  and  the  Madre  de  Dios.  For  a  time  it  was  administered 
from  Riberalta  in  the  Beni,  where  the  delegate  had  his  headquarters, 
but  the  seat  of  government  was  later  moved  to  Cobija  on  the  Acre. 
In  this  region  everything  else  has  been  subordinated  to  the  extrac- 
tion of  rubber,  and  little  effort  has  been  made  by  such  interests  as 
Suarez  and  Braillard  to  colonize  the  State  lands  that  they  have 
acquired  there.  In  fact,  most  of  the  new  settlers  have  been  Bra- 
zilians, whose  persistent  loyalty  to  their  country  of  origin  has  been 
a  cause  of  serious  concern  to  the  Bolivian  Government,  which  is  still 
mindful  of  its  experience  with  the  lost  Acre  country. 

The  "Delegacion,"  or  Territory,  of  the  Oriente  Mas  created  by 
law  of  January  11,  1911,  from  tlie  eastern  part  of  the  Department 
of  Santa  Cruz,  and  with  the  seat  of  administration  at  Puerto  Suarez. 
The  duration  of  this  territorial  government  has  been  twice  prolonged, 
finally  to  January  4,  1924.  Most  of  the  lands  granted  under  the 
law  of  L905  have'  heen  located  along  the  Puerto  Suarez-Sant  a  Cruz 
trail  or  to  the  north  of  this  route.  The  few  colonies  settled  with 
Bolivians  at    Puerto  Suarez,  ViUazonia,  Warnes,  and   Robore  have 

not  flourished   l<>  any  degree.      Tin-  very   town  site  of  Puerto  Snare/ 

belonged  to  the  German  Sociedad  Comercial  Matto  Grosso  y  Bolivia, 

from  which  the  settlers  were  obliged  to  acquire  their  lots.  The  Bel- 
gian Sociedad  Belgo-Sudamericana  has  a  large  program  for  the  Qorth- 
eastern  pari  of  the  Territory,  with  Laguna  Caiba  as  an  outlet  to  the 
Paraguay  River, 


LABOR   CONDITIONS.  193 

The  Territory  of  the  Gran  Chaco  was  established  by  law  of  Decem- 
ber 27,  1905,  for  a  period  of  five  years,  but  this  period  has  been  twice 
extended.  It  comprises  the  little-known  country  to  the  left  of  the 
lower  Pilcomayo  River.  Though  a  matter  of  dispute  with  Paraguay, 
Bolivian  occupation  of  this  region  has  become  increasingly  effective. 
Villa  Montes  on  the  Pilcomayo  represents  an  effort  of  the  Government 
at  national  colonization,  and  efforts  have  been  made  to  induce  natives 
of  the  country  to  settle  about  the  "fortines,"  or  garrison  posts,  along 
the  Pilcomayo.  Strips  of  land  facing  on  that  river  have  been  granted, 
but  little  has  been  done  toward  serious  development,  though  increas- 
ing numbers  of  cattle  are  being  raised.  Liability  to  droughts  and  to 
inundations  at  the  different  seasons  of  the  year  has  been  an  obstacle 
to  the  settlement  of  an  otherwise  good  region. 

LAW  GOVERNING  IMMIGRATION. 

The  basic  law  governing  immigration  into  Bolivia  is  contained  in 
the  supreme  decree  of  President  Montes  of  March  18,  1907.  The 
sole  qualifications  fixed  for  immigrants  desiring  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  Government  aid  provided  for  by  the  law  were  that  they  be 
workmen,  farmers,  or  manufacturers  less  than  60  years  of  age,  and 
that  they  give  evidence  of  good  character  and  fitness.  The  immigrant 
who  satisfied  these  conditions  might  enjoy  the  following  privileges: 

(1)  Free  passage  within  Bolivia  to  his  destination  over  the  rail- 
ways and  public  roads  of  the  country — this  including  the  immigrant's 
wife  and  sons  over  18  years  of  age. 

(2)  Freedom  from  customs  duties  for  his  personal  belongings, 
including  tools  and  implements. 

(3)  The  right  to  acquire  50  hectares  of  State  land  at  a  price  of 
10  centavos  per  hectare,  each  son  over  14  years  of  age  to  have  the 
right  to  an  additional  tract  of  25  hectares. 

Payments  for  land  might  be  made  either  at  the  time  of  occupation, 
or  in  five  annual  installments  of  1  boliviano  each.  Sons  over  18  years 
of  age  were  permitted  to  acquire  a  lot  of  50  hectares  on  their  own 
account.  After  a  period  of  three  years  and  after  perfecting  the  title 
to  his  first  tract  of  land  the  immigrant  might  buy  two  additional 
lots.  The  law  constituted  all  Bolivian  consulates  as  agencies  for 
supplying  information  to  prospective  immigrants.  A  special  section 
was  created  in  the  Ministry  of  Colonization  and  Agriculture,  to  be 
known  as  the  Oficina  de  Trabajo,  or  Labor  Office,  for  carrying  out 
the  provisions  of  the  immigration  law. 

RELATIVELY  SMALL  NUMBER  OF  IMMIGRANTS. 

The  law  of  1907  has  had  few  definite  results.  The  Government 
has  lacked  the  means  to  carry  out  the  feature  of  immigrant  aid 
provided  for  in  the  law,  and  in  attempting  to  attract  bona  fide 
immigrants  has  had  to  compete  with  countries  like  Brazil  and 
Argentina,  that  are  more  favorably  situated  in  this  respect.  Bolivia 
has  also  suffered  from  the  disadvantage  of  its  inland  position,  the 
lack  of  an  accurate  cadastral  survey  of  its  public  lands,  and  the 
lack  of  markets  for  the  regions  that  are  open  to  immigration.  These 
regions  combine  great  natural  advantages,  but  because  of  the  lack 
44462°— 21 13 


194         BOLIVIA:    A   COMMEBCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

of  transportation  facilities  the  natural  riches  of  the  vast  eastern 
plains  can  find  no  outlet.  Those  who  settle  in  that  part  of  Bolivia 
can  hope  for  a  living,  but  for  many  years  they  can  expect  little  more 
than  a  bountiful  supply  of  food  for  their  consumption.  Only  single 
men  should  settle  in  this  region,  unless  the  immigrants  are  from 
countries  where  women  of  the  rural  populations  are  accustomed  to 
hardships. 

A  few  Japanese  have  gone  into  Bolivia  from  Peru  by  way  of  the 
Madre  de  Dios  and  settled  in  the  Beni.  Some  Brazilians  have 
crossed  into  Bolivia  from  the  Acre  and  Amazonas  regions  to  engage 
in  the  rubber  industry.  There  has  been  a  small  immigration  of 
Argentinians  in  the  south,  and  a  small  number  of  Chileans  have 
entered  Bolivia  to  work  in  the  mining  regions.  A  handful  of  Ameri- 
cans have  settled  in  the  Santa  Cruz  and  Chiquitos  country.  But 
there  has  been  no  real  immigration  on  any  appreciable  scale. 

As  for  the  plateau,  no  State  lands  remain  there  for  sale  to  immi- 
grants. There  are  undoubted  opportunities  for  the  breeding  of  live 
stock,  including  hogs  about  Lake  Titicaca,  cattle  in  Carangas,  sheep 
in  several  districts,  and  mules  in  the  valley  of  Mizque.  However, 
the  inhospitable  appearance  of  the  country  or  its  unhealthfulness 
(as  in  the  Mizque  region)  discourage  foreigners  from  settling  there. 
Land  must  be  acquired  by  private  purchase,  and,  as  everywhere  in 
Bolivia,  there  is  no  regular  land  market  or  dealers  in  real  estate. 
A  foreigner  desiring  to  buy  land  on  the  plateau  would  have  to  settle 
down  in  La  Paz  for  a  time,  advertise,  and  make  inquiries,  and  even 
should  he  encounter  a  tract  of  land  for  sale  it  would  most  probably 
be  difficult  to  agree  on  a  reasonable  price  with  the  owner. 


TRADE. 
THE  BOLIVIAN  MARKET. 

In  gauging  the  purchasing  power  of  the  Bolivian  market  it  is 
necessary  to  take  into  account  the  peculiar  racial  composition  of  the 
nation.  The  population  is  predominantly  Indian  and  mestizo,  and 
the  general  level  of  the  standard  of  living  is  correspondingly  low. 
The  Indian  buys  few  imported  goods  beyond  some  ordinary  textiles, 
hardware,  dyes,  and  cheap  notions.  Moreover,  this  is  a  field  that 
will  admit  of  little  expansion  unless  the  Indian's  earning  capacity 
and  standard  of  living  undergo  a  radical  change,  which  is  very 
unlikely  for  some  time. 

In  these  respects  the  general  level  of  the  mestizos  or  cholos  is 
considerably  higher  than  in  the  case  of  the  Indians.  However,  there 
are  wide  differences  between  the  various  degrees  of  cholos,  whose 
condition  merges  on  the  one  hand  into  that  of  the  Indians  and  on 
the  other  approximates  closely  to  the  status  of  the  whites.  The 
income  of  the  men  of  this  class  varies  from  about  $15  to  $45  a  month. 
Those  who  work  as  skilled  laborers  or  are  engaged  in  business  on 
their  own  account  may  make  more.  The  woman  of  the  family  is 
also  very  often  an  earner,  and  it  is  common  for  the  boys  to  begin 
work  at  10  or  11.  In  spite  of  its  limited  earning  capacity,  the 
cholo  class  takes  a  wide  variety  of  imported  goods  and  is  constantly 
demanding  a  higher  grade  of  merchandise.  In  addition-  to  hardware 
and  textiles,  they  buy  large  quantities  of  foreign  foodstuffs  and 
groceries,  not  only  such  items  as  rice,  sugar,  and  tea,  but  also  pre- 
pared foodstuffs,  such  as  canned  goods.  Though  the  cholos  are 
not  buyers  of  foreign  shoes,  they  take  most  of  the  low  and  medium 
grades  of  wearing  apparel  imported  into  the  country.  Some  of  the 
women  of  this  class  also  wear  expensive  silk  shawls.  They  are 
good  buyers  of  prepared  medicines  and  are  prone  to  spend  a  dis- 
proportionate share  of  their  income  for  talcum  powder,  perfumes, 
and  other  toilet  articles.  They  are  also  inclined  to  buy  cheap  and 
showy  jewelry. 

The  whites,  who  form  a  minority  comprising  not  more  than  20 
per  cent  of  the  total  population,  are  the  sole  buyers  of  the  higher 
grades  of  imported  merchandise.  However,  it  is  doubtful  whether 
there  are  10,000  families  in  Bolivia  with  an  annual  income  of  $1,800. 
There  are  probably  not  more  than  50  families  with  an  income  of 
$10,000  a  year.  The  persons  comprising  this  minority  have  tastes 
and  standards  of  living  more  or  less  on  a  plane  with  those  of  the 
same  rank  in  any  modern  society.  They  dress  uniformly  well,  they 
furnish  their  homes  with  increasing  comfort  and  good  style,  in 
contrast  to  the  former  barrenness  of  South  American  houses,  and 
they  have  become  accustomed  to  a  greater  variety  of  diet  at  their 
tables,  calling  for  a  good  grade  of  foreign  foodstuffs.  They  are 
constantly  demanding  more  of  the  so-called  nonessentials  and 
luxuries. 

195 


196        BOLIVIA:    A   COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

The  annual  per  capita  consumption  of  foreign  goods  in  Bolivia  is 
between  SI 5  and  $25.  It  is  easy  to  overload  such  a  market  in  most 
lines  of  merchandise.  Local  importers,  as  well  as  foreign  exporters, 
are  liable  to  overestimate  the  quantity  of  a  given  commodity  thai 
this  market  can  absorb.  The  inability  of  importing  houses  to  dispose 
of  undulv  large  orders  of  foreign  goods  has  sometimes  furnished  a 
pretext  for  tlieir  protesting  the  drafts  for  the  payment  of  such 
unsalable  merchandise.  It  must  be  remembered  that  only  in  a  few 
lines,  like  cottons,  ordinary  hardware,  and  such  foodstuffs  as  rice, 
flour,  and  sugar,  is  the  demand  even  remotely  commensurate  with 
the  numerical  size  of  the  buying  population. 

BUSINESS  INTERESTS. 

As  in  most  parts  of  South  America,  the  native  of  the  country  holds 
a  relatively  unimportant  place  in  the  commercial  life  of  Bolivia. 
With  the  exception  of  a  few  firms,  including  those  of  Ormachea, 
Urriolagoitia,  Jorge  Saenz,  Arauco  Prado,  and  Portillo,  the  majority 
of  the  general  importing  and  exporting  interests  are  foreign.  Boliv- 
ians are  better  represented  in  retail  business,  where  there  are  some 
very  substantial  houses,  like  that  of  Jose  M.  Carballo  in  La  Paz. 

American  commercial  interests  in  Bolivia  are  represented  by  such 
general  trading  houses  as  those  of  Denniston,  Pringle  &  Velez.  and 
Kelly  &  Fletcher.  The  important  house  of  W.  R.  Grace  &  Co., 
though  its  base  of  operations  is  in  New  York,  has  a  large  British  per- 
sonnel, and  the  manager  of  its  Bolivian  business  is  a  native  Bolivian 
long  prominent  in  promoting  the  industrial  interests  of  his  country. 
There  are  several  important  British  importing  and  exporting  com- 
panies, including  those  of  Duncan,  Fox  &  Co.;  Graham,  Rowe; 
Williamson  &  Co.;  and  Mason  Bros.  The  list  also  includes  the 
names  of  R.  G.  Williams  and  the  Anglo-Bolivian  Rubber  Estates 
(Ltd.),  which  carry  on  a  general  merchandise  business  in  eastern 
Bolivia  in  addition  to  their  rubber  operations.  The  largest  dealer 
in  men's  furnishings  in  La  Paz  (A.  G.  Thompson)  is  British,  as  is  the 
best  pharmacy  in  Oruro,  the  "Botica  Inglesa."  Among  houses  of 
French  nationality  are  those  of  Levy  (La  Paz),  Etienne  (Oruro),  and 
Picollet  (Beni). 

The  Germans  have  long  held  a  prominent  place  in  Bolivian  busi- 
ness. The  high  position  held  in  imports  into  Bolivia  before  lit  14 
was  largely  due  to  the  strong  local  representation  which  the  Germans 
had  built  up.  Though  the  war  and  the  operations  of  the  Allied 
"black  list''  gave  a  setback  to  the  development  of  this  trade,  the 
German  houses  in  Bolivia  maintained  their  organization  and  by 
1920  showed  signs  of  recovering  much  of  their  former  importance. 
Though  these  houses  covered  the  entire  country,  (heir  activities 
were  especially  evident  in  eastern  Bolivia.  The  Germans  had 
virtually  sealed  up  the  interior  country  l>v  controlling  the  ap- 
proaches to  that  market,  as  well  ;is  establishing  trading  houses  ;:t 
such  interior  points  as  Trinidad  and  Santa  Cruz.  At  Riberalta 
in  the  Beni  were  the  houses  of  Xeller-Yillinger  and  Barber;  at 
Puerto  Suarez  were  Zeller-Villinger  and  Staunen,  Schnack,  Muller 
(Sociedad  Comercial  Matto  Grosso  y  Bolivia);  and  at  iacuiba 
:m<l  Villa  Montes  were  the  stores  of  Staudl  &  Co.  At  Cocha- 
bamba  there  were  a  number  of  German  houses  which  worked  the 


TRADE.  197 

Beni  and  Santa  Cruz  regions.  At  present  there  are  a  dozen  Ger- 
man importing  and  exporting  houses  in  that  city.  These  in- 
clude the  firms  of  Barber,  Hardt,  Gildemeister,  Boettiger-Trepp, 
and  Colsman-Boehme,  which  also  have  branches  in  other  Bolivian 
cities.  In  addition  to  these,  there  are  several  purely  local  firms. 
The  largest  hardware  concern  in  Bolivia  is  that  of  G.  Hinke,  which 
has  stores  in  La  Paz,  Cochabamba,  and  Oruro. 

There  are  several  other  German  hardware  stores,  particularly  in 
Oruro. 

A  considerable  number  of  Spaniards  are  engaged  in  retail  business. 
Their  favorite  lines  are  groceries  and  men's  and  women's  furnishings. 
Some  of  the  leading  stores  in  La  Paz  of  this  kind  are  Spanish  owned. 
These  include  the  firms  of  Pablo  Saenz,  Rodriguez  Hermanos,  Coca 
Jimenez,  Mesa  Moron,  and  Flores. 

The  Spanish  commercial  interests  of  La  Paz  are  organized  in  a 
chamber  of  commerce.  Most  of  these  Spanish  houses  enjoy  an  excel- 
lent reputation  for  credit  and  general  reliability. 

The  so-called  "Turk"  element,  which  comprehends  all  classes  of 
Levantines,  including  especially  Syrians  and  Armenians,  has  gained 
an  important  place  in  the  dry-goods  and  notions  trade  in  all  parts  of 
Bolivia.  They  are  particularly  prominent  in  La  Paz,  Oruro,  and 
Potosi,  where  they  operate  numerous  small  bazaars  or  shops.  One 
block  of  Calle  Diez  de  Medina  in  La  Paz  is  almost  entirely  taken  up 
with  these  "Turk"  "tiendas." 

The  Jugo-Slavs  have  come  to  hold  a  similar  place  in  the  grocery 
business  in  several  cities,  especially  in  Oruro  and  Potosi,  where  they 
now  have  a  virtual  monopoly  in  that  line  of  trade.  They  are  also 
branching  out  into  the  hardware  business  and  a  few  are  doing  a 
general  importing  and  exporting  business. 

The  Italian  element  is  of  comparatively  small  importance  in 
Bolivian  business  though  there  are  a  few  houses  like  those  of  Cator- 
etto  and  D'Andreis. 

Of  South  Americans,  there  are  a  number  of  Peruvian  stores  in 
La  Paz,  but  most  of  them  are  shops  that  do  a  small  business.  Peru- 
vian interests  suffered  from  the  riots  of  April,  1920,  which  led  to  an 
exodus  of  Peruvians  from  Bolivia.  However,  with  the  restoration  of 
friendly  relations  between  the  two  Governments,  the  Peruvians  have 
begun  to  regain  their  old  business.  There  are  a  few  general  import- 
ing and  exporting  houses  of  Chilean  nationality,  including  those  of 
Barrios  and  Valenzuela.  The  important  construction  material  firm 
of  Fortunato  Hermanos  is  Argentine,  and  some  Argentines  are  doing 
business  in  Tarija.  The  leading  business  interests  of  La  Paz  are 
organized  in  a  Camara  de  Comercio,  or  chamber  of  commerce,  with 
headquarters  on  Calle  Recreo. 

The  American  business  colony  was  also  organized  in  1919  as  the 
American  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  Bolivia.  This  organization, 
which  consists  of  about  a  dozen  firms,  has  well-furnished  quarters 
adjoining  the  American  consulate  in  the  Edificio  Taborga. 

CHARACTER  OF  STORES  AND  BUSINESS  BUILDINGS. 

A  very  manifest  improvement  is  going  on  in  La  Paz  in  the  quality 
of  the  stores.  Many  of  them  are  now  very  well  housed.  The  better 
shops  on  Calle  Comercio,  such  as  the  Louvre  (which  lacks  little  of 


198         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND  INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

being  a  roal  department  store),  the  Sultana,  the  Bon  Marche\  and  the 
Casa  Ortiz,  carry  good  lines  of  merchandise  and  are  well  and  attrac- 
tively arranged.  Window  decorations  are  used  to  an  increasing 
extent.  These  stores  cany  general  lines  of  wearing  apparel,  dry 
goods,  china  and  glassware,  and  household  furnishings,  but  deal 
especially  in  dry  goods.  This  class  of  store  is  generally  called  a 
"tienda"  in  Bolivia,  as  grocery  stores  are  often  referred  to  as  ''  alma- 
cenes."  There  are  at  least  two  first-class  groceries  in  La  Paz,  and 
there  are  also  several  up-to-date  drug  stores.  These  pharmacies 
carry  toilet  articles  in  addition  to  drugs  and  medicines.  There  is  an 
excellent  drug  store  in  Oruro.  La  Paz  also  has  three  or  four  modern 
men's  furnishing  stores,  which  carry  good  stocks  and  present  their 

foods  in  attractive  form.  Most  of  the  smaller  stores  in  La  Paz  are 
oused  in  dingy  buildings  that  are  unsuited  for  the  purpose.  Goods, 
especially  bolts  of  cloth  and  samples  of  ready-to-wear  clothing,  are 
hung  out  in  front  to  attract  buyers  within.  Part  of  Calle  Diez  de 
Medina,  which  is  lined  with  "tiendas"  displaying  bright-colored 
goods,  has  the  appearance  of  an  Oriental  bazaar  street.  The  stores 
in  the  smaller  cities  of  Bolivia,  especially  in  Potosi  and  Sucre,  present 
a  distinctly  inferior  aspect,  though  there  are  unmistakable  signs  of 
improvement  in  Oruro  and  Cochabamba.  Little  construction  of 
modern  business  buildings  has  taken  place  in  any  of  these  places. 
In  the  smaller  towns  the  stores  are  largely  general-merchandise  estab- 
lishments that  sell  groceries  (including  canned  goods),  cottons,  ordi- 
nary hardware,  and  such  other  goods  as  would  be  required  by  a  cholo 
and  Indian  trade.  Numerous  small  shops,  or  "pulperias,"  which 
largely  trade  in  groceries,  are  found  everywhere  throughout  the 
country. 

BUYING  METHODS. 

Merchants  in  Bolivia  either  make  their  purchases  direct  from  the 
exporter  or  through  commission  houses  established  within  the  coun- 
try. Those  who  use  the  former  method  order  by  mail,  through 
traveling  agents  of  the  exporter,  or  by  personal  visits  to  the  United 
States  or  Europe.  However,  the  majority  combine  two  or  all  of 
these  methods.  Many  prefer  to  deal  as  directly  as  possible  with  the 
manufacturer,  in  order  to  save  the  difference  between  the  original 
price  and  the  price  offered  by  the  commission  house.  The  unfor- 
tunate experiences  which  a  few  Bolivians  have  had  with  some  irre- 
sponsible jobbing  houses  in  New  York  have  tended  to  prejudice 
tnem  against  all  general  exporting  houses,  however  reliable  thev 
may  be.  It  may  be  added  here  that  there  is  a  tendency  to  trade  w  itli 
New  Orleans  and  Pacific  coast  houses  more  largely  than  in  the  past. 

American  exporters  are  using  catalogues  to  an  increasing  extent 

in  their  efforts  to  reach  the  trade  of  Latin  America.  These  cata- 
logues and  the  American  trade  periodicals  comprise  the  best  commer- 
cial propaganda  material  that  now  reaches  Bolivia  from  any  source. 
However,  too  many  catalogues  in  English  are  si  ill  sent.  This  applies 
to  price  lists  as  well,  which  should  always  be  drawn  up  in  Spanish 
and    in    as  simple   form   as   possible.      The   indiscriminate   sending  of 

catalogues  is  poor  policy;  trade  literature  should  he  sent  only  to  such 
firms  as  offer  a  reasonable  prospect  of  orders.  Manufacturers  desir- 
ing io  keep  m  touch  with  the  Bolivian  field  would  do  well  to  send 


TRADE.  199 

copies  of  their  catalogues  to  the  American  consulate  or  to  the  Ameri- 
can Chamber  of  Commerce  in  La  Paz.  Under  no  circumstances 
should  bulky  packages  of  trade  literature  or  samples  be  sent  through 
the  mail,  or  by  parcel  post,  unless  a  previous  arrangement  has  been 
made  with  the  addressee.  Otherwise  the  latter  is  liable  to  be  put  to 
a  great  deal  of  trouble  in  getting  the  packages  out  of  the  customhouse. 
This  may  require  a  couple  of  hours'  work  and  the  expenditure  of 
several  bolivianos  for  fees.  When,  after  all  this,  the  recipient  finds 
that  his  package  contains  only  some  bulky  catalogues,  he  is  likely  to 
be  irritated.  For  this  reason  trade  literature  for  circulation  in 
Bolivia,  as  in  other  parts  of  South  America,  should  be  kept  within 
mailable  size. 

Advertising  has  not  been  resorted  to  in  Bolivia  to  the  same  extent 
as  in  some  other  South  American  countries.  There  are  no  regular 
advertising  agencies  covering  the  country,  but  each  firm  handles  its 
own  publicity  work.  Consequently  there  is  little  attractiveness  or 
originality  in  advertising.  Though  considerable  space  is  given  to 
advertisements  in  the  daily  newspapers,  these  are  not  satisfactory 
publicity  mediums.  Their  circulation  is  small,  ranging  from  1,000 
to  5,000  for  the  La  Paz  papers,  and,  as  no  cuts  are  used  in  connection 
with  advertisements,  their  appeal  is  limited.  The  principal  weekly 
periodicals  are  the  Atlantida  and  the  Boletin  Comercial.  The  former 
is  an  illustrated  weekly,  but  also  contains  comments  on  current 
happenings.  It  is  edited  by  Sr.  Eduardo  Diez  de  Medina  and  is  pub- 
lished on  Calle  Yanacocha,  La  Paz.  Its  advertisements  are  superior 
to  those  of  any  other  local  publication.  The  Boletin  Comercial  is  a 
purely  commercial  weekly  of  about  46  pages.  Almost  half  this  space 
is  given  up  to  advertisements,  chiefly  in  the  form  of  business  cards  of 
local  firms.  The  editors,  whose  post  office  address  is  Casilla  206, 
La  Paz,  are  Julio  Beitia  and  Jose  E.  Rivera.  Sr.  Beitia  is  of  Chilean 
nationality,  and  Sr.  Rivera  is  a  Bolivian.  The  yearly  subscription 
price  for  foreign  countries  is  25  bolivianos.  The  weekly  circulation 
is  about  2,000  copies. 

A  few  foreign  periodicals  also  circulate  in  Bolivia,  though  to  a  very 
limited  extent.  Among  such  American  periodicals  are  the  Spanish 
edition  of  Pictorial  Review  and  the  agricultural  monthly,  La  Hacienda. 
The  Revista  del  Mundo,  the  Spanish  edition  of  World's  Work,  pub- 
lished by  La  Nacion  of  Buenos  Aires,  is  also  sold  in  Bolivia.  These 
make  very  good  publicity  mediums  for  American  goods. 

There  is  little  display  advertising  in  Bolivia,  and  this  little  is  not 
very  effective.  The  high  cost  of  lumber  prevents  the  use  of  sign 
boards,  but  certain  conspicuous  wall  spaces  are  utilized  for  adver- 
tisements in  two  colors  and  without  illustrations.  Though  the 
American  street  cars  used  in  La  Paz  contain  space  for  advertising 
cards,  seldom  more  than  two  or  three  cards  are  ever  seen  in  a  car. 
American  exporters  could  aid  the  sale  of  their  goods  in  La  Paz  by 
sending  street-car  cards  with  illustrations  and  Spanish  wording  to 
their  Bolivian  clients.  There  is  little  screen  or  curtain  advertising 
in  the  local  theaters.  It  may  be  added  here  that  the  predominance 
of  American  films  in  the  motion-picture  theaters  of  Bolivia  is  a 
strong  factor  in  giving  publicity  to  articles  of  American  manufacture. 
The  high  price  of  current  prevents  the  use  of  electrical  advertising. 
Cards  and  calendars  with  attractive  lithographic  work  and  Spanish 


200        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND    INDl'STRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

wording  make  excellent  advertising  materia]  either  for  window  or 
store  display  or  for  distribution.  (However,  in  view  of  the  climate 
of  Bolivia,  cardboard  fans  for  advertising  purposes  should  not  be 
Bent.)  Publicity  material  of  this  character  is  always  welcome,  and 
inmost  cases  merchants  would  be  willing  to  pay  an  additional  charge 
to  cover  the  cost  of  such  material.  Bright  colors  and  illustrations 
are  the  principal  requisites  of  advertisements  of- this  kind,  as  the 
quick  visual  appeal  is  what  should  be  sought  in  reaching  this  trade. 
The  effect  of  highly  colored  pictorial  advertising  can  scarcely  be  ex- 
aggerated, though  advertisements  of  this  character  must  be  definitely 
connected  in  the  mind  of  the  buying  public  with  the  particular  com- 
modity that  is  being  advertised.  That  is,  some  feature,  such  as  the 
trade-mark,  should  appear  on  both  the  advertisement  and  the  article 
advertised. 

Whenever  possible,  correspondence  with  Bolivian  importers  should 
be  in  Spanish,  though  good  English  is  preferable  to  bad  Spanish.  If 
there  is  no  one  in  the  importing  house  who  can  read  English,  the  let- 
ter must  be  sent  out  for  translation  or  someone  brought  in  from  out- 
side to  decipher  it.  On  the  other  hand,  a  letter  written  in  bad 
Spanish  gives  an  unfavorable  impression  of  the  firm  that  sent  it  out. 
Though  letters  should  not  be  curt,  neither  should  they  be  needlessly 
long.  However,  it  should  be  remembered  that  South  American 
merchants  are  very  susceptible  to  the  tone  in  which  a  letter  is  written 
and  are  highly  appreciative  of  courtesy.  One  La  Paz  merchant 
showed  a  very  considerate  letter  from  an  American  exporter,  which 
had  greatly  pleased  him,  and  remarked:  "People  who  treat  us  like 
that  can  have  our  business  as  long  as  they  want  it." 

Bolivian  merchants  are  going  in  increasing  numbers  to  the  United 
States  and  Europe  to  make  their  purchases.  Such  commercial  trips 
to  the  United  States  should  be  encouraged,  and  those  making  such 
trips  should  be  shown  every  facility  and  courtesy.  It  is  of  great 
importance  that  these  men  be  given  an  opportunity  to  go  through 
industrial  establishments  in  the  lines  in  which  they  are  interested. 
Those  who  have  been  received  in  this  manner  carry  back  favorable 
impressions  of  what  they  have  seen  and  a  predisposition  toward 
American  goods  that  is  a  real  asset  for  our  foreign  trade.  It  is  unfor- 
tunate that  they  are  compelled  to  pay  the  large  fee  of  $10  for  the 
American  vise  of  their  passports  before1  embarking  for  the  United 
States.  This  high  charge  appears  to  them  a  needless  exaction  and 
is  a  source  of  irritation  to  a  class  of  men  whose  good  will  should  be 
cultivated  in  every  way. 

TRAVELING  SALESMEN. 

The  third  method  of  making  purchases  is  through  traveling  agents 
of  the  exporting  houses.  Formerly  few  American  salesmen  visited 
Bolivia,  but  they  are  now  frequently  seen  in  La  Pa/  and  even  in  the 
smaller  cities.  During  L920  the  writer  met  half  a  do/en  in  La  Paz 
al  one  time.  This  method  of  reaching  the  trade  has  given  very  sat- 
isfactory results,  especially  when  the  sale-man  is  fitted  for  this  kind 
of  work.  This  requires  no1  only  ordinary  selling  ability,  hut  a  little 
more  courtesy  than  may  he  essential  in  the  United  States  and  a  man- 
ner thai  i  in  proses  the  prospective  client  with  the  traveler's  own 
reliability  and  that  of  his  linn.     Though  n<>!  absolutely  necessary  in 


Bolivianos. 

Santa  Cruz 400-800 

Tarija 200 

Tupiza 200 

Uvuni 250 


TRADE.  201 

all  cases,  a  speaking  knowledge  of  Spanish  gives  a  salesman  an  advan- 
tage whose  value  it  is  needless  to  insist  upon. 

A  man  covering  the  west  coast  in  any  standard  line  could  profitably 
spend  from  two  weeks  to  a  month  or  more  in  La  Paz  and  a  few  days 
each  in  Oruro  and  Cochabamba.  In  certain  lines  a  short  trip  into 
Potosi  might  be  advisable.     Sucre  is  less  readily  accessible. 

The  principal  obstacle  to  the  activities  of  foreign  traveling  sales- 
men in  Bolivia  is  the  vexatious  system  of  license  taxes  levied  by  the 
different  municipalities.  These  are  entirely  local  in  character,  being 
levied  only  in  the  particular  city  where  paid.  They  are  not  only  very 
considerable  in  amount,  but  for  a  salesman  who  desires  to  cover  sev- 
eral cities  the  payment  of  the  aggregate  sum  of  licenses  may  well 
prove  a  severe  drain  on  his  profits  from  sales  or  actually  leave  him 
with  a  deficit.  Salesmen  who  plan  a  trip  to  Bolivia  should  carefully 
calculate  the  relation  of  this  expense  to  the  prospective  results  of 
their  sales  campaign,  so  as  to  insure  themselves  against  a  loss.  How- 
ever, it  must  be  remembered  that  in  cases  where  the  salesman  feels 
confident  that  the  future  business  in  store  for  his  house  will  justify  the 
initial  outlay,  there  should  be  less  hesitancy  in  incurring  the  expense 
of  license  fees.  The  following  table  shows  the  scale  of  license  fees 
levied  in  the  principal  commercial  centers  of  Bolivia: 

Bolivianos. 

La  Paz 250 

Cochabamba 1, 000 

Oruro 250 

Potosi 200 

Sucre 300 

It  is  the  custom  to  farm  out  the  collection  of  this  tax  to  the  highest 
bidder,  though  it  is  sometimes  administered  directly  by  the  city  gov- 
ernment. Salesmen  should  call  at  the  ' '  impuestos,"  or  tax,  office  of  the 
"Municipalidad,"  or  city  hall,  for  information  regarding  the  method 
of  payment,  or  they  may  secure  this  information  at  the  Ameri- 
can consulate.  The  tax  concessionaire  is  allowed  considerable  lati- 
tude in  the  assessment  of  the  tax,  and  it  has  sometimes  been  found 
possible  to  secure  a  very  substantial  reduction  of  the  fee  by  careful 
bargaining  and  by  holding  out  the  prospect  of  leaving  the  city  with- 
out paying  any  tax  whatever,  even  at  the  sacrifice  of  transacting  no 
business.  Payment  may  also  be  evaded  by  operating  as  representa- 
tive of  the  salesman's  own  agency  in  the  country.  Thus  the  traveler 
grants  the  representation  for  his  firm  to  some  local  concern  and  in 
turn  carries  on  his  sales  campaign  in  the  capacity  of  agent  of  the 
latter.  However,  tins  requires,  in  the  first  place,  special  care  in  the 
selection  of  an  agency,  as  the  agreement  made  with  the  local  firm 
would  probably  continue  after  the  salesman's  departure.  Also,  un- 
less skillfully  handled  this  procedure  may  lead  to  trouble  with  the  local 
authorities,  whom  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  impress  with  the  bona 
fide  character  of  the  arrangement.  The  salesman's  license  is  valid 
for  a  year,  and  there  are  no  further  restrictions  on  the  holder  during 
that  period. 

Local  merchants  in  Bolivia  generally  welcome  the  visits  of  sales- 
men as  giving  them  an  opportunity  to  examine  samples  of  goods  in 
which  they  are  interested.  Any  obstacle  to  this  direct  contact 
between  buyer  and  seller  should  be  discouraged  and  the  fullest 
liberty  of  trading  allowed.     The  more  progressive  Bolivian  leaders 


202         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

recognize  the  defects  of  the  present  licensing  system  and  the  injus- 
tices which  it  causes  to  both  importers  and  exporters,  and  they  are 
in  favor  of  a  national  license  of  reasonable  amount,  to  take  the  place 
of  the  present  locally  assessed  fees.  "The  system  is  cumbersome 
and  prejudicial  to  the  development  of  international  commerce," 
said  Jose  Luis  Tejada,  former  Minister  of  Finance. 

Salesmen,  like  all  other  persons  visiting  Bolivia,  are  required  to 
carry  a  passport,  which  is  also  useful  for  purposes  of  identification 
at  the  American  consulate  or  legation.  The  consulate  at  La  Paz  is 
in  possession  of  a  large  and  up-to-date  mass  of  information  on  trade 
conditions  in  the  country,  and  a  call  there  may  be  of  considerable 
value  to  a  salesman  not  familiar  with  local  conditions.  It  is  also 
of  great  advantage  to  the  salesman  to  carry  letters  of  introduction, 
not  only  from  his  principals,  but  also  from  banks  or  other  high 
sources  in  his  country.  South  Americans  are  much  impressed  by 
this  kind  of  document  and  look  on  it  as  a  guaranty  of  the  salesman's 
reliability.  Those  who  are  well  provided  with  such  papers  find  it 
much  easier  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  local  business  men.  A 
power  of  attorney  is  necessary  only  where  it  is  planned  to  enter  into 
contracts,  or  where  it  is  desired  to  obtain  advance  payments  on 
orders. 

Salesmen  may  obtain  the  necessary  data  on  which  to  compute 
their  scale  of  traveling  expenses  from  tne  section  of  this  work  entitled 
"Travel  Notes"  (p.  256). 

The  following  rules  regulating  the  importation  of  samples  into 
Bolivia  are  translated  from  the  customs  regulations  of  that  country: 

Article  192.  Samples  are  all  pieces  of  textiles  and  other  such  articles  having  no 
appreciable  value.  Samples  are  also  manufactured  articles  which  have  a  value 
but  which  are  imported  in  small  quantity  and  manifestly  for  the  purpose  of  displaying 
the  character  of  the  articles. 

Art.  193.  Samples  may  be  disembarked  without  any  delay  and  at  once  after  the 
presentation  of  the  ship's  manifest  to  the  customs  authorities  by  the  captain  of  the 
vessel  in  which  the  samples  are  imported,  prior  to  the  submission  of  the  itemized 
manifest  of  the  ship's  cargo.  Cases  containing  samples,  however,  which  have  been 
listed  in  the  itemized  cargo  manifest  of  the  vessel  may  not  be  disembarked  prior  to 
the  submission  of  the  manifest  and  must  submit  to  the  usual  requirements  for  other 
merchandise  imported. 

Art.  194.  A  special  form  of  invoice  is  used  in  declaring  samples  for  entry  by  the 
customs  authorities.     This  form  is  to  be  made  out  in  quadruphcate. 

Art.  19">.  Customs  inspectors  will  accept  as  samples  only  such  merchandise  as  in 
their  judgment  can  properly  be  classed  as  such.  If  merchandise  presented  as  samples 
is  not  accepted  as  such  by  the  inspector,  this  fad  shall  be  noted  on  the  declaration 
and  the  mer<  handise  will  be  subject  to  the  duties  ordinarily  collected  on  goods  of 
the  same  class,  provided  the  goods  introduced  as  samples  appear  in  the  Itemized 
manifest  of  the  vessel  by  which  they  were  imported.  If  nol  so  listed,  the  goods 
introduced  as  samples  shall  be  subject  to  a  fine  amounting  to  double  the  usual  duty. 

Art.  J9<i.  In  the  case  of  "samples  without  value,"  the  declaration  "Muestras  sin 
valor"  written  on  the  invoice  will  be  sufficient.  If,  however,  the  samples  are 
dutiable,  the  invoice  must  show  the  mark,  the  Dumber,  and  the  contents  of  each  pack- 
but  it  need  nol  contain  a  statement  of  the  quantity  of  each  sample,  this  latter 

inform:!  I  ion  being  supplied  by  the  inspector  who  dispatches  and  appraises  the  samples. 

Alt.  L97.   If  any  package  is  declared  to  contain  ''muestras  sin  valor'-  and  is  later 

found   to  contain  articles  of  value  and  dutiable,  such  article  shall  pay  double  the 

ordinary  rate  of  duty. 

Abt.  198.  When  packages  of  merchandise  containing  dutiable  goods  are  left  for 
Btarage  a1  the  customhouse,  samples  from  these  may  be  removed  only  once.     Per 
ion  for  remo>  ing  samples  of  this  nature  must  be  obtained  by  formal  application 
to  the  collector  of  the  customhouse  in  which  the  goods  are  Btored. 

Abt.  L99.  The  trunks  of  commercial  travelers  containing  samples  from  which 
Bales  an-  to  !"■  made  and   which  have  been  admitted   under  bond  with  the  under- 


TRADE.  203 

standing  that  the  same,  together  with  all  of  their  contents,  shall  be  reexported, 
must  be  presented  to  the  collector,  prior  to  their  reexportation,  for  the  necessary 
inspection  of  their  contents.  In  order  to  obtain  the  refund  of  the  amount  deposited 
or  the  cancellation  of  the  bond,  a  landing  certificate  must  be  presented  originating 
with  the  collector  of  the  customhouse  at  the  foreign  port  to  which  the  goods  have 
been  transferred  or  with  some  Bolivian  consular  official  in  that  country. 

Thus,  only  samples  without  commercial  value  may  be  imported 
free  of  duty.  The  customs  authorities  usually  mutilate  the  samples 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  them  unsalable,  without  destroying 
them.  However,  the  owner  should  see  to  it  that  the  customs 
inspectors  do  not  render  his  samples  unfit  for  display  purposes,  as 
has  sometimes  occurred,  when  samples  have  been  so  mutilated  as 
to  lose  all  value  even  as  such.  Samples  in  general  may  be  imported 
without  payment  of  duty  under  bond  furnished  by  a  bonded  customs 
broker,  which  is  canceled  upon  the  reexportation  of  the  samples, 
unless  some  of  the  samples  are  sold,  in  which  case  the  amount  of 
duty  leviable  on  the  samples  sold  is  withheld.  The  reexportation 
of  the  samples  need  not  be  made  through  the  same  customhouse 
through  which  they  were  imported,  and  the  bond  is  canceled  upon 
the  presentation  of  a  certificate  from  the  customhouse  of  reexpor- 
tation. The  samples  are  permitted  to  remain  in  the  country  for  a 
period  of  90  days,  which  may  be  extended  for  30  days  longer,  after 
which  time,  if  the  samples  have  not  been  reexported,  the  duty  is 
collected. 

The  clearance  of  trunks  and  sample  cases  requires  from  one  to 
three  days  after  their  arrival,  though  it  is  sometimes  possible  to 
secure  their  release  on  the  day  of  arrival.  However,  baggage 
arriving  at  a  given  destination  after  4  o'clock  will  not  be  examined 
by  the  customs  authorities  until  the  following  day.  For  checking 
his  baggage  from  one  point  to  another  the  traveler  should  appear 
at  the  station  at  least  half  an  hour  before  the  departure  of  the  train, 
as  the  weighing  of  trunks  and  other  formalities  are  carried  out  with 
great  deliberation.  This  can  generally  be  handled  by  a  porter  from 
the  hotel  where  the  salesman  is  staying.  Particular  care  should  be 
taken  not  to  lose  the  "guia"  or  receipt  for  the  baggage  shipped. 

COMMISSION  HOUSES. 

Much  of  the  buying  in  Bolivia  is  done  through  commission  houses. 
This  is  the  rule  with  the  smaller  retailers,  but  is  also  the  practice  of 
the  larger  buyer.  The  latter  often  prefers  it,  in  spite  of  the  added 
cost  of  the  goods  which  it  entails,  because  it  relieves  him  of  the  trouble 
connected  with  bringing  the  goods  from  the  United  States,  and  be- 
cause he  can  order  from  the  samples  or  catalogues  which  the  com- 
mission houses  always  have,  or  even  from  the  stock  in  their  "  bodegas" 
or  warehouses.  In  the  latter  case  he  can  replenish  his  stock  on  short 
notice  instead  of  having  to  wait  two  or  three  months  for  the  arrival 
of  the  goods  -from  the  exporter.  From  the  exporter's  or  manu- 
facturer s  standpoint,  the  advantage  of  dealing  with  the  foreign  trade 
in  this  way  lies  in  the  commission  firm's  greater  familiarity  with  local 
market  conditions  and  the  ability  of  its  organization  to  cover  the 
field  more  effectually  than  could  be  done  from  an  office  in  the  United 
States.  However,  in  giving  exclusive  representation  for  a  certain 
line  to  these  houses  it  must  be  remembered  that  some  of  them  are 
already  overloaded  with  agencies.     When  one  of  these  houses  carries 


204        BOLIVIA:   A  COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

a  number  of  competitive  brands  in  the  same  line,  it  is  almost  inevi- 
table that  it  slxmld  push  one  of  these  brands  to  the  disadvantage  of 
the  others.  While  some  commission  houses  act  as  jobbers  and  sell 
on  a  commission  basis,  others  sell  on  consignment. 

TERRITORY  TRIBUTARY  TO  PRINCIPAL  CENTERS. 

LA  PAZ. 

La  Paz  is  the  principal  distributing  center  of  Bolivia.  Though  it 
is  fax  from  the  geographical  center  01  the  plateau  country,  its  excel- 
lent connections  with  the  coast  give  it  a  distinct  advantage  as  an 
importing  point,  while  the  Bolivia  Railway  connects  it  with  the  other 
cities  of  the  plateau,  except  with  Sucre,  which  is  not  located  on  a  rail- 
way. Its  commercial  sphere  of  influence  does  not,  however,  extend 
much  below  the  line  of  the  Rio  Mulato-Potosi  Railway.  Nearlv  all 
the  important  importing  houses  have  their  head  offices  in  La  Pa/. 
However,  there  are  a  few  exceptions,  such  as  Graham,  Rowe  &  Co. 
in  Oruro,  several  Cochabamba  firms,  and  Urriolagoitia,  of  Sucre. 
The  plateau  area  can  be  covered  from  La  Paz  better  than  from  any 
other  city,  though  it  is  the  exclusive  distributing  point  only  for  the 
surrounding  Provinces  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz.  Imports  by 
Antofagasta  are  largely  distributed  from  Uyuni,  Potosi,  Oruro,  and 
other  points.  The  La  Paz  firms  send  salesmen  into  the  districts  not 
directly  covered  by  then-  branch  houses,  though  merchants  in  the 
smaller  places  also  make  business  trips  to  La  Paz  or  other  cities  for  the 
purpose  of  making  their  purchases. 

ORURO. 

Oruro  is  more  nearly  independent  of  La  Paz  than  any  other  city  of 
importance,  though  large  quantities  of  goods  are  bought  through  the 
larger  city.  The  territory  more  or  less  tributary  to  Oruro  includes 
the  Department  of  that  name,  part  of  the  mining  region  in  the  ad- 
joining part  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz,  the  very  important  mining 
districts  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Department  of  Potosi,  and  the 
Department  of  Cochabamba. 

Because  of  its  position  as  the  chief  mining  center  of  Bolivia,  Oruro 
is  a  very  important  commercial  city,  ranking  next  to  La  Paz  in  this 
respect.  Tin  mining  camps  for  a  wide  radius  are  supplied  from 
Oruro,  though  La  Paz  competes  with  Oruro  For  this  valuable  trade. 
In  fact,  most  of  the  important  Oruro  houses  are  brandies  of  La  Paz 
linns;  there  are,  however,  several  exceptions  to  this  rule.  The  tribu- 
tary country  is  well  covered  by  the  agents  of  these  houses.  There  is 
always  a  large  demand  for  miners'  tools  and  general  hardware,  ex- 
plosives, sacks  for  "  barrilla,"  and  fuel  and  lubricating  oils. 

Local  manufacture  is  now  supplying  much  of  the  demand  for 
miners'  clothing.  The  Bolivian  shoe  factories  are  making  a  strong 
shoe  for  miners,  which  retails  for  about  II  bolivianos,  and  high-laced 
boots,  which  sell  for  40  to  45  bolivianos.  Leather  clothing  of  good 
quality,  well  suited  to  wear  in  the  mining  camps,  is  also  being  pro- 
duced, a  full  suit  of  such  material  being  sold  for  about   100  bolivianos. 

There  is  always  a  good  market  for  the  "bayetas,"  or  bright-colored 
coarse  baizes  worn  by  the  "chola"  class  of  women.  Considerable 
quantities  of  canned    goods   are   also    sold    in    the    mining    centers. 


TRADE.  205 

Most  of  the  mining  machinery  is  sold  through  about  half  a  dozen 
important  houses,  which  watch  this  demand  closely  from  their  Oruro 
or  La  Paz  offices. 

Total  imports  through  the  Oruro  customhouse  for  1918  amounted 
to  8,625,200  bolivianos,  or  approximately  one-fourth  of  the  total  im- 
ports of  Bolivia.  However,  this  does  not  include  the  large  quantities 
of  goods  reshipped  from  La  Paz  into  the  Oruro  district. 

COCHABAMBA. 

Though  Cochabamba  buys  from  both  Oruro  and  La  Paz,  there  is  a 
growing  tendency  on  the  part  of  its  merchants  to  buy  directly  from 
abroad.  The  market  covered  from  Cochabamba  includes  all  of  the 
Department  of  that  name,  (except  the  corner  nearest  to  Oruro),  the 
upper  Mamore  basin  of  the  Beni,  and  the  western  part  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Santa  Cruz. 

Since  the  opening  of  the  railway  from  Oruro  in  1917  there  has  been 
a  decided  improvement  in  general  business  conditions  in  the  Cocha- 
bamba district.  Some  local  merchants  declare  that  the  volume  of 
their  business  has  doubled  during  this  time.  However,  there  is  needed 
not  only  a  greater  development  of  the  immediately  tributary  terri- 
tory, but  also  the  opening  up  of  better  connections  with  the  country  to 
the  east  and  northeast — that  is,  with  the  regions  of  Santa  Cruz  and  the 
Beni.  There  is  little  local  capital  for  the  development  of  industries, 
and  whatever  is  given  to  the  further  development  of  the  district  must 
come  largely  from  foreign  money  and  initiative,  the  introduction  of 
which  the  people  of  the  region  will  welcome  and  facilitate.  Because 
of  the  lack  of  extensive  mineral  deposits  such  as  exist  in  the  Depart- 
ments of  the  plateau,  the  progress  of  this  territory  must  depend  not 
only  on  the  expansion  of  Cochabamba's  trade  with  other  Depart- 
ments, but  also  on  agricultural  development  and  the  initiation  of 
manufacturing,  such  as  that  of  flour,  whereby  the  agricultural  prod- 
ucts of  the  region  can  be  utilized. 

In  the  matter  of  its  foreign  trade,  Cochabamba  is  becoming  more 
and  more  independent  of  La  Paz  and  Oruro  and  is  disposed  to  deal 
directly  with  the  exporter.  Because  of  its  inland  position  and  the 
number  of  changes  necessary  on  the  way,  it  is  advisable  to  have 
arrangements  made  with  consignment  agents  in  Arica  or  Antofa- 
gasta  to  forward  goods  destined  for  Cochabamba,  though  this  matter 
is  generally  handled  by  the  ultimate  consignee.  Imports  for  the 
district  come  in  through  both  these  ports,  though  in  the  case  of  mer- 
chandise from  the  United  States  there  is  an  increasing  tendency  to 
favor  Arica  over  the  more  southerly  port. 

The  trade  of  the  tributary  towns  is  handled  by  agents  sent  out 
by  the  importing  houses  in  Cochabamba.  The  most  important  of 
these  towns  are  Quillacollo,  Punata,  Tarata,  Cliza,  Arani,  Sacaba, 
Mizque,  and  Aiquile,  which,  with  the  exception  of  Mizque,  have 
populations  of  1,000  to  10,000  people.  In  addition  to  these  towns, 
there  are  those  on  the  way  to  Santa  Cruz  and  the  trading  centers  of 
the  Beni. 

Cochabamba  is  the  chief  center  of  German  trading  activity  in 
Bolivia.  Though  their  trade  suffered  during  the  war,  the  German 
houses  there  have  maintained  their  organization  and  some  of  them 
are  among  the  most  efficient  in  Bolivia.     They   are  now  buying 


206        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

through  local  American  and  British  importing  houses  and  reselling 
the  goods  in  the  interior  and  even  in  the  immediate  locality  of  Co- 
chabamba;  some  arc  dealing  directly  with  American  exporters. 
Nearly  all  the  business  with  Santa  Cruz  and  the  Beni  country  is  in 
their   hands. 

POTOSI. 

As  Potosi  lies  in  the  contested  zone  of  attraction  of  the  Arica  and 
Antofagasta  routes,  it  buys  from  both  directions.  Houses  in  Anto- 
fagasta,  as  well  as  in  Oruro  and  La  Paz,  cover  this  field,  and  there  is 
a  certain  amount  of  direct  buying  from  abroad. 

Practically  all  of  the  goods  sold  in  the  Potosi  district  are  bought 
indirectly  through  Oruro  or  La  Paz,  or  through  Antofagasta.  How- 
ever, although  few  houses  import  directly  from  abroad,  there  is  an 
increasing  tendency  in  this  direction.  Some  important  La  Paz 
houses  maintain  agencies  in  Potosi  for  handling  the  trade  of  that 
region.  The  Jugo-Slavs  control  the  grocery  business,  as  in  Oruro, 
and  are  entering  the  hardware  business  to  an  increasing  extent. 
There  are  relatively  few  well-to-do  families  in  the  city,  and  very 
little  high-class  merchandise  is  seen  in  the  local  stores,  which  gener- 
ally carry  mixed  lines  of  goods;  many  of  these  resemble  the  oriental 
bazaar  in  arrangement.  Since  the  buying  capacity  of  the  majority 
is  very  small,  this  factor  largely  determines  the  conditions  of  the 
local  mercantile  business.  Among  the  most  important  items  of 
local  trade  are  tocuyos,  or  sheetings,  and  cheap  flannels  for  the  In- 
dians and  cholos.  Mine  supplies,  including  dynamite,  cement, 
lumber,  lubricating  and  fuel  oils,  calcium  carbide,  etc.,  are  naturally 
in  great  demand  in  the  trade  of  the  district. 

The  total  value  of  the  business  of  the  country  tributary  to  Potosi, 
except  the  Sucre  territory,  is  not  great.  The  region  includes  such 
towns  as  Puna,  to  the  southeast,  and  Betanzos,  to  the  east,  and  some 
merchandise  is  also  sent  to  places  as  far  away  as  Cotagaita  and 
Camargo,  though  the  latter  towns  are  also  supplied  from  other  cen- 
ters, such  as  Uyuni  and  Tarija. 

SUCRE. 

Sucre's  commercial  position  is  similar  to  that  of  Potosi,  through 
which  its  external  trade  is  forced  to  pass.  However,  Sucre  is  even 
more  dependent  on  intermediary  selling  agencies  than  is  Potosi, 
though  some  of  the  more  important  local  houses  buy  directly  from 
the  United  States  and  Europe. 

Sucre  is  not  at  present  a  place  of  great  commercial  importance,  in 
the  degree  to  which,  for  example,  ( )ruro  is.  The  limited  resources  of 
the  surrounding  country  do  not  permit  any  considerable  expansion  of 
the  city's  business,  and  any  future  development  must  largely  come 
through  the  exploitation  of  the  region  to  the  east,  particularly  in  the 
Provinces  of  Azero  and  Tomina,  where  the  petroleum  and  other 
mineral  fields  of  the  Department  are  Located.     There  is  a  relatively 

large  amount  of  local  capital  for  investment,  but  it  IS  not  in  sufficient 

quantities  for  the  conduct  of  huge  enterprises,  and  local  financial 
interests  would  welcome  the  introduction  of  American  capital  and 
skill  for  the  promotion  of  those  undertakings  for  which  their  own 
means  are  inadequate. 


TRADE.  207 

Local  business  houses  buy  either  directly  from  the  United  States 
or  Europe,  or  through  Potosi  or  La  Paz  houses.  The  latter  is  prob- 
ably the  more  common  method  of  making  purchases.  Goods  brought 
in  through  Antof  agasta,  in  addition  to  the  transshipment  from  steamer 
to  train  at  that  port,  have  to  be  transshipped  again  at  Uyuni  to 
Potosi,  where  they  are  loaded  on  mules  for  Sucre.  This  makes  direct 
shipments  to  Sucre  merchants  difficult,  so  that  goods  have  to  be  for- 
warded through  consignment  agents  to  the  point  of  destination. 
Representatives  of  La  Paz  houses,  or  the  Potosi  agents  of  La  Paz 
houses,  make  periodical  trips  into  Sucre  for  the  purpose  of  handling 
the  trade  of  that  place.  The  trade  of  towns  tributary  to  Sucre,  such 
as  Padilla  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  Colquechaca,  are  covered  by 
agents  sent  out  in  turn  from  the  Sucre  houses.  Some  families  buy 
directly  from  mail-order  houses  in  New  York,  a  few  of  them  keeping 
funds  on  deposit  at  these  New  York  firms,  against  which  they  order. 
This  fact  is  especially  true  of  women's  wearing  apparel.  It  is  notice- 
able that  Spanish  editions  of  style  books  are  good  mediums  for  reach- 
ing this  class  of  trade  and  can  be  followed  up  by  catalogues  in  that 
language.  Sucre  stores  are  generally  unpretentious,  and  at  the  time 
of  the  writer's  visit  in  1920  the  market  appeared  decidedly  under- 
stocked. 

EL  BENI. 

The  principal  trading  firms  of  the  Beni  region  are  identical  with 
the  leading  rubber  companies  which  have  been  enumerated  above, 
including  such  houses  as  Suarez  Hermanos,  Zeller,  Villinger  &  Co., 
Braillard  &  Co.,  Alfredo  W.  Barber  &  Co.,  etc.  Among  these  firms 
those  of  German  nationality  have  predominated  in  the  trade  of  the 
region.  Some  Syrians  and  Greeks  also  work  as  itinerant  merchants 
selling  goods  from  place  to  place  along  the  rivers. 

The  principal  rubber  exporters  of  this  region  are  at  the  same  time 
importers  of  merchandise,  which  they  sell  either  from  their  houses  in 
the  principal  towns  or  in  the  stores  located  about  their  rubber 
"barracas."  Thus  the  5,000  or  more  employees  of  a  firm  like  Suarez 
Hermanos  do  their  buying  at  the  stores  operated  by  this  company. 
The  principal  distributing  points  are  Riberalta,  Villa  Bella,  Guayara- 
merin,  Cobija,  Trinidad,  Magdalena,  and  Baures. 

Previous  to  the  war  the  larger  part  of  the  merchandise  sold  was  of 
German  origin,  but  during  the  war  Brazilian  goods  in  many  lines 
gained  a  prominent  place  in  this  market,  and  imports  from  the  United 
States  also  increased  considerably.  Brazil  not  only  has  the  advan- 
tage of  being  nearer  to  the  market  than  any  trade  rival,  but  Brazilian 
products  enjoy  preferential  rates  in  many  cases  on  the  Madeira- 
Mamore  Railway.  The  German  houses  which  trade  in  the  Beni 
have  also  been  accustomed  to  carry  on  a  triangular  trade,  by  which 
they  exchange  manufactured  goods  in  Cochabamba  and  Santa  Cruz 
for  products  of  those  districts,  such  as  flour  and  beer  from  Cochabamba 
ana  sugar,  rice,  coffee,  alcohol,  and  lard  from  Santa  Cruz.  These 
goods  are  then  sold  in  the  Beni,  where  the  houses  obtain  their  rubber 
for  export  to  Europe.  The  firm  of  Zeller,  Villinger  &  Co.  operates 
a  large  sugar  mill  near  Santa  Cruz  and  exports  a  part  of  the  product 
to  the  Beni  However,  the  decline  of  this  local  trade,  because  of 
the  opening  of  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway  and  the  falling  off  in 
the  rubber  Dusiness  of  the  Beni,  has  been  one  of  the  most  important 


208        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

factors  in  causing  the  present  stagnation  in  business  in  Santa  Cruz. 
Profits  on  sales  of  merchandise  in  these  regions  are  very  high,  gener- 
ally ranging  from  50  to  400  per  cent.     Much  of  the  merchandise 

sold  is  put  up  with  a  view  to  external  appearance  rather  than  to  real 
quality  and  durability.  Unusual  care  must  be  used  in  packing  goods 
destined  for  these  markets,  not  only  because  of  the  rough  handling 
that  is  inevitable,  but  because  of  the  excessive  humidity  and  the 
heavy  rains  of  the  wet  season. 

The  principal  lines  sold  in  this  country  are  hardware,  including 
general  tools  and  cutlery  and  the  special  equipment  used  by  the 
rubber  gatherers;  dry  goods,  especially  cottons,  notions,  and  ready- 
made  clothing;  perfumery,  toilet  articles,  and  novelties;  canned 
goods  and  Hour;  beers,  wines,  and  liquors;  drugs  and  patent  medi- 
cines, including  sulphate  of  quinine  and  aspirin.  A  market  should 
be  developed  here  for  such  lines  as  screen  wire,  water  filters  and 
coolers,  launches  and  light  canoes,  and  small  ice-making  machine-. 

A  branch  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  Boliviana  was  established  at 
Riberalta  in  1913  and  has  greatly  aided  in  financing  commercial 
transactions  in  this  region,  Previous  to  its  foundation  the  loss  on 
the  purchase  or  sale  of  drafts  on  Manaos  or  Para  generalh^  amounted 
to 'from  5  to  10  per  cent.  There  is  a  branch  of  the  Bank  of  London 
k  the  River  Plate  at  Manaos  and  a  branch  of  the  Mercantile  Bank  of 
the  Americas  at  Para.  Letters  on  La  Paz  and  Cochabamba  are 
accustomed  to  circulate  for  a  long  time  as  legal  tender  with  the 
successive  indorsements  on  the  back.  In  the  matter  of  exchange 
Bolivian  currency  is  generally  at  a  disadvantage  as  regards  Brazilian 
money,  especially  in  the  towns  along  the  border. 

Prices  have  been  very  high  in  this  region  as  a  result  of  the  high 
costs  of  transportation  and  the  excessive  profits  made  by  the  trading 
houses. 

SANTA  CRUZ. 

As  in  the  Beni,  there  is  a  condition  of  general  depression  and  stag- 
nation in  business  in  the  Santa  Cruz  country,  and  there  can  be  little 
hope  of  any  radical  improvement  until  that  region  has  better  connec- 
tions with  the  outside  world.  Only  the  building  of  railways  from 
either  direction  can  give  it  the  prosperity  to  which  its  natural  possi- 
bilities entitle  it.  Hitherto  the  market  has  been  a  small  one  and 
has  been  left  almost  exclusively  to  the  Germans,  who  work  the  field 
not  only  from  their  local  trading  houses,  but  from  Cochabamba, 
Puerto  Snare/..  Yacuiba,  and  the  river  towns  of  the  lower  Beni 
region.  However,  the  entrance  of  the  Madeira-Mamore  TradingCo. 
into  the  held  and  recent  huge  sales  in  Santa  Cruz  by  a  British  house 
of  Cochabamba  should  mark  the  end  of  the  German  monopoly  in  that 
market. 

The  principal  goods  in  demand  are  cottons,  canned  goods,  general 
hardware    (such    as    axes.    saws,    and    machetes),    hats    and    general 

wearing  apparel,  usually  of  n  cheap  grade,  prepared  medicines,  tin 
and  galvanized  wares,  rifles,  and  light  plows.  There  is  also  a  Deed 
for  small  sugar-making  apparatus,  mills  for  husking  rice,  and  light 
s;i\\mill    equipment.      It    should    be   remembered    that    all    machinery 

sent  into  the  Santa  Cru/  country  must  he  transported  from  river ,or 
railhead  to  its  destination  by  means  of  oxcarts,  and  that,  moreover, 
such  merchandise  can  not  he  transported  <>\  er  the  Cochabamba  route, 
which  is  used  only  by  mules. 


TRADE.  209 


UYUNI. 


The  importance  of  Uyuni,  which  is  the  commercial  center  of  south- 
ern Bolivia,  is  due  to  two  factors.  First  of  these  is  its  position  as  a 
railway  junction.  At  this  point  all  freight  and  passengers  must 
be  transshipped  between  the  lines,  with  different  gauge,  of  the  Anto- 
fagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway  and  the  Bolivia  Railway  Co. 

The  second  factor  in  the  commercial  importance  of  Uyuni  is  the 
existence  of  several  important  mines  in  the  vicinity,  including  those 
of  the  Compania  Huanchaca  de  Bolivia,  the  Aramayo  Francke 
Mines  (Ltd.),  and  the  Compania  Minera  y  Agricola  Oploca  de  Bolivia. 
These  companies  maintain  agencies  in  Uyuni,  through  which  they 
purchase  most  of  their  supplies  and  which  have  charge  of  the  trans- 
shipment of  their  ores  for  Antofagasta. 

Uyuni  is  commercially  tributary  to  Antofagasta,  practically  all  of 
the  exports  of  the  district  being  sent  out  through  that  port  and  its 
imports  coming  hi  by  the  same  route.  The  territory  is  covered  by 
the  agents  of  Antofagasta  houses,  some  of  which  have  branches  in 
Uyuni.  As  some  lines  of  American  goods  are  inadequately  repre- 
sented in  Antofagasta,  a  like  condition  prevails  in  Uyuni.  The 
American  goods  most  commonly  seen  in  Uyuni  stores  are  canned 
goods,  toilet  articles,  and  certain  lines  of  hardware,  such  as  shovels, 
axes,  saws,  and  knives  of  all  kinds.  The  mines  buy  large  quantities 
of  such  goods  as  lumber,  cement,  oils,  galvanized  iron,  dynamite, 
petroleum,  and  tools  and  machinery.  The  most  of  such  goods  sold 
in  this  district  are  of  American  origin.  In  general  lines  of  merchan- 
dise for  the  consumption  of  the  local  population  there  is  little  demand 
for  high-class  goods.  The  stores  themselves  are  generally  quite 
small  and  of  mediocre  appearance. 


TARIJA. 


Tarija,  a  city  of  9,000  people,  is  situated  in  an  isolated  position  in 
the  south-central  part  of  the  Republic  and  close  to  the  Argentine 
frontier.  The  latter  circumstance  determines  the  commercial  posi- 
tion of  Tarija,  making  it  tributary  to  the  Argentine  railhead  at  Em- 
barcacion  on  the  Bermejo.  Other  roads  lead  over  the  mountains  to 
Tupiza  and  La  Quiaca,  where  they  connect  with  the  main  north-and- 
south  trade  route  between  Uyuni  and  Jujuy,  and  east  to  connect 
with  the  Embarcacion-Yacuiba-Santa  Cruz  road.  Tarija's  tributary 
country  is  relatively  small,  being  restricted  to  the  neighboring 
Provinces  of  the  Department  of  the  same  name  and  part  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Cinti,  which  lies  in  the  southern  part  of  the  Department  of 
Chuquisaca. 

TRADE-MARKS. 

Bolivia  has  ratified  the  scheme  for  a  proposed  international  regis- 
tration of  trade-marks,  with  a  central  office  at  Rio  de  Janeiro.  How- 
ever, pending  ratification  by  some  other  South  American  countries, 
this  project  has  not  yet  been  put  into  force.  Meanwhile  the  registra- 
tion of .  trade-marks  is  governed  by  the  law  of  January  15,  1918, 
which  was  put  into  effect  three  months  after  that  date.  Trade- 
marks are  granted  by  the  Government  for  a  period  of  10  years,  and 
renewals  may  be  had  for  additional  periods  of  10  years,  but  they  must 
be  requested  three  months  before  the  current  term  expires.     Marks 

44462°— 21 14 


210        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

already  registered  at  the  time  the  law  went  into  force  continue  to  be 
protected  for  K)  wars  from  the  date  of  registration  upon  the  pay- 
ment of  the  annual  lees  prescribed  by  the  former  law,  and  where  the 
annual  fees  have  been  paid  in  advance  for  a  longer  period  the  regis- 
tration will  continue  in  force  throughout  the  time  for  which  taxes 
have  been  paid,-  hut  no  new  payments  of  taxes  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
tending the  duration  will  be  accepted. 

The  law  resembles  those  of  most  other  Latin  American  countries 
in  recognizing  priority  of  registration  as  the  basis  of  ownership. 
Provision  is  made,  however,  for  opposing  the  application  for  or 
securing  the  cancellation  of  the  registration  of  marks  consisting  of 
names  of  persons  or  business  firms.  Where  any  trade-mark  is  op- 
posed, objection  must  be  presented  within  50  days  after  the  first 
published  notice  appears  in  the  Boletin  Departamcntal.  Claim  for 
cancellation  may  be  presented  within  18  months  after  the  appear- 
ance of  such  notice.  After  the  lapse  of  that  period  the  ownership 
of  the  trade-mark  can  not  be  contested.  Priority  of  use  is  taken  into 
consideration  in  some  cases,  as  the  law  states  that  "where  priority  in 
the  use  of  the  mark  is  involved,  only  absolute  proof  will  be  accept ci  I . 
Commercial  names,  including  the  names  of  corporations,  arc  entitled 
to  protection  without  the  necessity  of  registration.  In  order  to  secure 
additional  protection  such  names  may  be  entered  in  a  special  register 
directed  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose. 

Only  in  the  case  of  marks  for  chemical  and  pharmaceutical  products 
is  registration  compulsory.  According  to  article  7  of  the  law,  ''the 
registration  of  marks  for  chemical  and  pharmaceutical  products 
shall  be  obligatory.  In  the  case  of  medicinal  specifics  (patent  medi- 
cines), the  formula  of  the  component  substances  shall  be  set  forth 
on  the  container  or  on  the  conjointly  affixed  label." 

Application  for  the  registration  of  a  trade-mark  must  be  directed 
to  the  "Jefe  do  la  Oficina  de  Propiedad  Industrial,  Ministerio  de 
Industria."  With  the  application  there  must  be  transmitted  six 
facsimiles  of  the  mark,  an  electrotype  not  exceeding  10  centimeters 
long  by  8  centimeters  wide  by  24  millimeters  thick  (3.9  by  3.15  by 
0.94  inches) :  two  copies  of  description,  in  Spanish,  indicating  the  prod- 
ucts with  which  it  is  to  be  used  and  stating  the  number  ot  the  class, 
in  eonformitv  with  the  legal  nomenclature  (art.  37  of  law  of  1918). 
A  copy  of  this  law  is  on  file  in  the  Division  of  Foreign  Tariffs,  Bureau 
of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce,  Washington.  A  power  of  at- 
torney must  be  legalized  by  a  Bolivian  consular  official  in  the  United 
States. 

For  each  trade-mark  covering  a  single  class  of  merchandise  there 
is  a  fixed  charge  of  30  bolivianos,  plus  5  bolivianos  lor  each  additional 
class  covered.  Collective  trade-marks,  and  those  covering  more 
than  six  classes  of  merchandise,  pay  CO  bolivianos.  The  special 
forms  used  hir  registry  or  renewal  cosl  5  bolivianos.  _  Certificates  of 
transfer  cost  10  bolivianos.  Legalized  copies  of  previous  certificates 
are  made  on  stamped  paper  costing  I  boliviano.  For  each  publica- 
tion of  the  cut  of  a  trade-mark,  with  description,  2  bolivianos  is 
charged.  The  description  is  published  three  times,  at  intervals  of 
10  days.  The  publication  ot  a  commercial  or  industrial  name, 
design,  etc.,  costs  J  boliviano  for  each  insertion. 


TRADE.  211 

SHIPPING  DIRECTIONS. 

PACKING. 

Packing  of  goods  destined  for  Bolivia  should  be  determined  by  the 
hard  usage  which  is  almost  inevitable  in  transit  and  by  the  rough 
conditions  of  internal  transportation.  Freight  is  subjected  to  ex- 
tremely severe  handling  at  the  Pacific  ports,  where  goods  for  Bolivia 
,are  disembarked.  Merchandise  is  landed  in  lighters,  and  boxes 
may  be  dropped  over  the  side  of  the  ship  into  the  lighter  in  a  heavy 
sea — if  they  do  not  miss  the  lighter  altogether.  From  the  lighters 
freight  is  lifted  by  cranes  onto  a  wharf  and  later  loaded  into  cars  for 
La  Paz.  Goods  entering  Bolivia  via  Mollendo  must  be  transferred 
again  at  Puno  and  Guaqui  on  Lake  Titicaca,  and  freight  routed 
by  Antofagasta  is  transferred  at  Uyuni.  Only  goods  sent  through 
Arica  reach  La  Paz  without  change.  Before  reaching  its  ultimate 
destination  in  the  interior  of  Bolivia  merchandise  will  have  been 
reshipped  from  La  Paz  or  some  other  point  having  a  customhouse, 
and  will  perhaps  have  been  carried  a  long  distance  by  mule  train. 
Not  only  is  merchandise  that  is  carried  by  pack  train  liable  to  be 
damaged  by  rain  between  November  and  May,  but  on  the  narrow 
mountain  trails  the  pack  may  be  knocked  off  or  damaged  by  a  rock 
overhanging  the  trail  or  by  a  caravan  passing  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion. Goods  that  will  certainly  or  probably  be  sent  some  distance 
from  a  railway  should  be  packed  accordingly.  In  order  to  prevent 
breaking  up  the  original  packages,  goods  should  be  packed,  ii  practi- 
cable, in  boxes  or  waterproof  bales  of  not  more  than  100  pounds 
each  and  not  over  18  inches  in  thickness.  As  losses  from  pilfering 
are  common  on  the  way  to  Bolivia,  packages  should  be  made  as  secure 
as  possible.  In  packing  some  classes  of  goods  it  is  necessary  to  bear 
in  mind  that  goods  must  pass  through  the  Tropics  on  their  way  to 
Bolivia,  and  that,  moreover,  the  climate  of  the  lowland  country  of 
eastern  Bolivia  is  very  hot. 

There  is  a  great  difference  between  the  different  kinds  of  American 
packing  that  one  finds  in  a  Bolivian  customhouse.  There  are  cases 
of  goods  that  are  as  well  packed  as  any  that  come  from  Europe,  and 
others  that  have  been  very  carelessly  put  up.  Certain  American 
firms  have  a  reputation  in  Bolivia  for  always  packing  well,  and 
others  are  as  well  known  by  their  bad  packing.  The  director  of 
the  La  Paz  customhouse  declared  to  the  writer  that  with  few  excep- 
tions American  goods  are  as  well  packed  as  those  of  any  other  nation. 
But  it  is  the  widely  advertised  exceptions  that  damage  the  reputation 
of  American  trade  in  general  in  Bolivia. 

-  As  all  exports  to  Bolivia  pass  through  a  foreign  port  of  entry, 
goods  should  be  carefully  marked  to  insure  their  arrival.  West 
coast  shipments  should  be  marked,  preferably  with  stencil,  as  follows: 

(Mark  of  consignee.) 

Via  Mollendo  (or  Arica  or  Antofagasta). 

En  transito  La  Paz,  Bolivia. 

Goods  shipped  to  the  Beni  regions  by  the  Amazon  route  should  be 
marked  as  follows: 

(Mark  of  consignee.) 

Via  Para. 

En  transito  Riberalta  (or  other  point),  Bolivia. 


212         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

Freight  for  Puerto  Suarez  should  be  marked  as  follows: 

Mark  of  consignee. 

via  Buenos  Aires  (or  Montevideo)  and  <  orumba. 
I'n  tranaito  Puerto  Suarez,  Bolivia. 

For  Tarija  the  marks  should  read  as  follows: 

i  Mark  of  consignee. 

Via  Buenos  Aires  and  La  C^uiaca. 

En  transito  Tarija,  Bolivia. 

ROUTINC. 

Freight  for  La  Paz  is  generally  routed  by  Mollendo  or  Arica,  and 
for  Oruro  cither  by  these  ports  or  by  Antofagasta.  The  most 
practicable  route  for  shipments  to  Potosi  and  Sucre  is  through 
Antofagasta.  This  also  applies  to  Cochabamba,  and  is  also  the  rule 
for  shipments  to  Santa  Cruz;  however,  the  consignee-  usually  designates 
the  port  through  which  his  order  is  to  be  sent,  as  he  is  more  familiar 
with  current  conditions  at  the  different  ports,  with  the  comparative 
freight  rates  to  the  plateau,  and  with  facilities  for  forwarding  freight 
to  Bolivia.  The  usual  routes  followed  by  freight  to  different  points 
in  Bolivia  are  as  shown  in  the  following  chart: 

TO    I.A    1'AZ. 

Points  of  transshipment.  Routing  from  points  of  transshipment. 

Route  A : 

Mollendo Southern  Railway  of  Peru. 

Puno Lake  Titicaea  steamer. 

Guaqui Guaqui-La  Paz  Railway. 

Route  B :  Arica Arica-La  Paz  Railway. 

TO    ORURO. 

Route  A  :  Mollendo As  above  to  Viacha,  thence  by  Bolivia  Railway. 

Route  B:  Arica As  above  to  Viacha,  thence  by  Bolivia  Railway. 

Route  C: 

Antofagasta Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway. 

Uyuni Bolivia  Railway. 

TO   POTOSI. 

Antofagasta Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway. 

I  yuni. Bolivia  Railway,  via  Rio  Mulato. 

TO   SUCRE. 

Antofagasta Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Rail  way . 

lyuni Bolivia  Kail  way.  via  Rio  Mulato. 

Potosi Mule  train  or  c  art . 

To   TARIJA. 

Route  \ 

Antofagasta Antofagasta  A  Bolivia  Railway. 

I  yuni Bolivia  Railway. 

Atocha Mule  train. 

Route  B: 

Buenos  Aires Central  Argentine  Railway. 

Tueuinan <  'eiitral  Xerte  Railway. 

I'.inliarcacion Mule  train. 

TO   lanii;  \  i  t  a. 

Para Amazon  River  Bteamer. 

Porto  Velho Madeira  Mamore  Railway. 

Guayarameriii '  txcarl  or  nude  train. 


TRADE. 


213 


TO    SANTA    CRUZ. 

Route  A : 

Para Amazon  River  steamer. 

Porto  Velho Madeira-Mamore  Railway. 

Guayaramerin Mamore  River  steamer. 

Puerto  Velarde  orCuatro  Ojos.  .Oxcart  or  mule  train. 
Route  B : 

Mollendo  or  Arica As  above  to  Oochabamba. 

Cochabamba Mule  train. 

Route  ( ! : 

Buenos  Aires Central  Argentine  Railway. 

Tucuman. Central  Norte  Railway. 

Embarcacion Mule  train. 

Route  D : 

Buenos  Aires Parana  Rh^er  steamer. 

Corumba Barge  and  launch. 

Puerto  Suarez Mule  train  or  oxcart. 

TO   TRINIDAD. 

Route  A : 

Para Amazon  River  steamer. 

Porto  Velho Madeira-Mamore  Railway. 

Guayaramerin Mamore  River  steamer. 

Puerto  Ballivian Oxcart. 

Route  B : 

Arica  or  Mollendo As  above  to  Cochabamba. 

Cochabamba Mule  train. 

Todos  Santos Launch. 

Puerto  Ballivian Oxcart. 

Directions  such  as  "Handle  with  care"  and  "This  side  up"  should 
be  given  in  Spanish  or,  preferably,  in  both  Spanish  and  English. 

In  connection  with  the  Arica  route,  it  seems  pertinent  to  present 
the  following  statistics,  showing  the  movement  of  Bolivian  com- 
merce through  that  port;  the  figures  were  furnished  by  the  Bolivian 
consulate  and  customs  agency  at  Arica  and  were  transmitted  by 
American  consul  Homer  Brett: 

TOTAL   BOLIVIAN   TRADE    VIA   ARICA   IN    1919   AND    1920. 


Class. 

1919 

1920 

Metric  tons. 

Chilean 
pesos.1 

Metric  tons. 

Chilean 
pesos.1 

Imports 

33,547 
32, 627 

19,287,622 
31,543,083 

45,558 
42,174 

29, 940, 8S1 
52, 166,  S81 

Exports 

Total 

66, 174 

50,830,705 

87,732 

82, 107, 762 

1  The  Chilean  gold  peso  is  equivalent  to  about  36.5  cents. 

BOLIVIAN   IMPORTS   VIA   ARICA   IN   1920,   BY   COUNTRIES. 


Countries  of  origin. 


Kilos. 


Argentina 30, 056 

Belgium !  181, 655 

Canada I  16, 008 

Chile '  16, 737, 508 

China 335, 485 

Denmark i  1,600 

Ecuador j  640 

France I  256, 520 

Germany i  414, 065 

Great  Britain I  5, 172, 730 

India I  168. 369 

Italy I  50,820 


Chilean 

pesos. 


64, 

325, 

13, 

9,649, 
214, 

7, 

720, 

1, 405, 

5,260, 

125, 

236, 


Countries  of  origin. 


Japan 

Netherlands.. 

Norway 

Panama 

Peru 

Portugal 

San  Salvador. 

Spain 

Sweden 

United  States 
Uruguay 


Kilos. 


114,305 

77,977 

137,042 

376 

,792,652' 

5,828 

4,091 

226, 659 

261,901 

, 522, 710 

48, 813 


Chilean 
pesos. 


74, 789 

133,717 

244,571 

1,140 

1,025,276 

34, 988 

47, 222 

470, 386 

324, 607 

9, 526, 788 

33,288 


214        BOLIVIA:    A   COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

BOLIVIAN    EXPORTS   VIA   ARICA   IN    1920,    BY    ARTICLES   AND    COUNTRIES. 


Articles  and  countries  of 
destination. 

Kilos. 

Chilean 
pesos. 

Articles  and  countries  of 
destination. 

Kilos. 

Chilean 
pesos. 

24,643,079 

22,824,079 

1,794,022 

24,  978 

228,72! 

217,  393 

11,331 

16,621,056 

12,671,762 

3,874,454 

74,840 

5,271,142 

4,307,997 

947, 696 

15,449 

1,310,832 

1,257,  127 

53,705 

44,339,532 

35,494,314 

8, 725,  490 

119,728 

V\  olfram 

227,184 

29,871 
8,914 

55, 735 

235,  769 

133, 379 
23,659 
4,724 
54,899 

391,317 

United  Status 

France 

Great  Britain 

Germany 

213,115 

39,988 

Italy 

13,511 

Silver 

L24,703 

<  >IIht  articles 

854,058 

United  States 

Great  Britain 

France 

Germany 

530,837 

Tin ...               

2M1.M2 

13,749 

5,980 

Peru 

13,729 

Total 

42,174,470 

52, 166, 881 

SHIPPING  DOCUMENTS. 


Because  Bolivia  has  no  seacoast,  through  bills  of  lading  arc  not 
issued  to  that  country.  Goods  reach  Bolivia  by  way  of  ports  that 
are  either  Peruvian,  Chilean,  Argentine,  or  Brazilian.  They  are  billed 
and  consigned  to  the  foreign  port  of  transshipment,  whence  they  are 
forwarded  to  the  ultimate  consignee  in  Bolivia.  This  necessitates 
marking  the  goods  in  such  a  manner  that  the  transit  character  of  the 
shipment  may  be  evident.  For  this  reason,  as  has  already  been 
indicated,  all  packages  should  be  stenciled  with  the  words  in  Spanish: 
"En  transito  para  Bolivia."  Otherwise  import  duties  may  nave  to 
be  paid  at  both  the  port  and  the  Bolivian  customhouse.  The 
importer  generally  designates  in  his  order  the  port  at  which  the 
merchandise  is  to  be  disembarked  and  the  forwarding  agent  who  is 
to  have  charge  of  transshipment  at  the  port.  Among  the  more 
important  " despachantes  de  aduana"  or  forwarding  agents  at  the 
west-coast  ports  are  the  following: 


MOl.I.KN  DO. 


Mollendo  Agencies  (Ltd.)  (W.  R.  Grace  &  Co.). 
Golding  &  Co. 
Donnelly  &  Co. 
Cazorla  Hermanos. 


Arica  Agencies  (Ltd.' 
Tomaa  Bradley. 
Lionel  Barbel  &  Co. 
Oscar  M.  Barrios. 
R.  Valenzuela  A:  ( iia. 
('.  G.  Barahona. 


(W.  R.  Grace  &  Co.). 


ANTOFAG  \ST  \. 


W.  R.  Grace  <£  '  o,  i  Nitrate  Agencies,  Ltd.). 

n  M.  Barrios. 
Barnett  &  I  !o. 

CONSI'LAK    INVOICKS. 


According  to  presidential  decree  of  June  L8,  L918,  live  copies  of 
consular  invoices  are  required  for  shipment  to  Bolivia.  The  snipper 
receives  one  copy  of  each  set  of  invoices.  One  is  sent  to  the  custom- 
house of  entry,  one  to  the  National  Bureau  of  Customs,  one  to  the 


TRADE. 


215 


National  Treasury,  and  the  fifth  is  retained  in  the  files  of  the  con- 
sulate.    Additional  copies  may  be  obtained  from  the  consulate. 

Consular  invoices  must  be  written  in  Spanish  and  must  be  accom- 
panied by  the  bills  of  lading,  commercial  invoices,  and  any  other 
documents  necessary  to  prove  the  actual  marke.t  value  of  the  mer- 
chandise declared.  It  is  required  to  give  the  following  data  in  the 
consular  invoice:  Name  of  the  consignee  at  the  place  of  transship- 
ment, name  of  the  ultimate  consignee  in  Bolivia,  and  the  net  and 
gross  weight  in  kilos.  The  form  of  the  Bolivian  consular  invoice  is 
as  follows: 

FACTURA  CONSULAR  PARA  BOLIVIA. 

Consular       invoice         for         Bolivia. 


Ejemplar  No. 
Copy         No. 


No.  de  Factura, 
No.    of      iavoice. 


Destinada  a  la  Aduana  de 
Destination     customhouse      of 


por- 

by 


-,  del  puerto  de  ■ 
from  the  port  of 


No.  de  Orden, . 

No.   of       order. 

por  las  mercaderias  que  Be  expresan,  embarcadas 

for  merchandise  described,  shipped 


-,el- 

the 


y  riesgo  de 
and  risk     of 


a  la  consignacion  de 
to    the    consignment    of 

de . 

of 


de 

of 


de  19 — ,  en  el  vapor  - 
19        by    steamer 


-,  Capitan 
Captain 


de 

of 


— ,  de  orden,  por  cuenta 
to    order,    and    for    account 


Marcas . 
Marks. 


Numeros. 
Numbers 


Bultos . 


Cantidad. 

Quantity. 


Clase. 
Kind. 


Clasificacion  de  la 

mercaderia. 

Classification  of 

merchandise. 


Peso  en  kilos. 

Weight  in  kilos.  I  v  alor  par- 

cial  de  la 

mercaderia 

y  total  de 

la  factura. 

Partial 
value  of  the 
merchan- 
dise and 

total 
amount  of 
the  invoice. 


Bruto. 
Gross. 


Neto. 
Net. 


Derechos 
percibidos 

por  el 
consulado 
al  2%  sobre 
factura. 
Fees 
charged  by 
the  consu- 
late at  the 
rate  of  2% 
on  the 
invoice. 


If  the  price  declared  in  the  consular  invoice  is  evidently  less  than  the  true  value  of  the  merchandise,  the 
Government  may  confiscate  the  said  merchandise,  paving  for  it  at  the  declared  value  and  selling  it  at 
auction.    (Par.  3,  art.  16,  law  of  Dec.  31,  1005.) 

The  shipper  must  make  the  following  declaration  on  the  invoice 
in  Spanish: 

Declaro  (declaramos)  ser  verdadero  el  valor  mencionado  en  esta  factura. 
I  declare  (we  declare)     that  the  value     named  in    this  invoice  is  the  actual  one. 


If  there  is  no  customhouse  at  the  place  to  which  the  goods  are 
consigned,  the  consular  invoice  must  designate  the  customhouse 
destination.  Thus,  goods  destined  for  Cocnabamba  pass  through 
the  customhouse  at  Oruro,  those  for  Tarija  through  Villazon,  and 
those  for  Potosi  through  either  Oruro  or  Uyuni,  depending  on  the 


216        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL  AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

port  of  transshipment.  Bolivia  is  divided  into  the  following  customs 
districts: 

Northern La  Paz. 

<  Sentral Oruro. 

Southwestern I'yuni. 

Southern Villazon  (La  Quiaca). 

Southeastern Yacuiba. 

1  iastern E*uerto  Suaxez. 

Northeastern Villa  Bella,  Cobija,  and  Manoa  CAhuna). 

In  addition  to  these  and  subordinate  to  their  authority  an-  a  num- 
ber of  "resguardos  de  aduana"  located  at  minor  points,  where  there 
is  a  certain  amount  of  traffic  across  the  frontier. 

There  are  Bolivian  consulates  in  the  United  States  at  New  York, 
Baltimore,  Boston,  Chicago,  Kansas  City  (Mo.).  Mobile,  Xew  Orleans, 
Norfolk  (Va.),  Philadelphia,  San  Diego,  San  Francisco,  and  Seattle 
Communications  with  any  of  these  offices  should  be  addressed  to  the 
"Consulate  of  Bolivia." 

Consular  fees  are  levied  according  to  the  following  scale: 

Certification  of  set  of  consular  invoices: 

Less  than  $200  in  value $3. 

$200  or  more  in  value 2  per  cent. 

Extra  copies  of  consular  invoices $1. 

Certification  of  bills  of  lading No  charge. 

Consular  invoice  blanks  (must  be  purchased  at  consulate): 

Set  of  four 9d.  or  equivalent. 

No  charge  is  made  for  the  fifth  copy. 

If  an  error  in  a  consular  invoice  is  discovered  by  the  shipper,  a 
letter  .of  correction,  written  in  Spanish,  may  be  handed  to  the  consul, 
who  will  certify  one  for  each  copy  of  the  invoice,  at  a  charge  of  50 
cents  each.  These  letters  of  correction  must  reach  the  Bolivian 
customs  authorities  before  the  goods  can  be  released  to  the  con- 
signee. 

During  May,  1920,  an  official  decree  provided  that  the  charge  of 

2  per  cent  of  the  value  of  the  goods  for  tin4  certification  of  the  Boliv- 
ian consular  invoice  should  be  bused  upon  the  manufacturer's 
value  or  bill  of  sale.  The  method  as  established  by  the  original 
law  was  that  the  charges  for  certification  of  consular  invoices  were 
to  be  based  upon  the  value  of  the  goods  plus  the  freight  charges  to 
the  Bolivian  customhouse  of  entry.  The  change  resulted  from  a 
protest  made  by  some  British  commercial  interests  on  the  ground 
that  it  was  impracticable  ;it  the  time  of  having  the  invoice  certified 
to   ascertain   the   exact   amount    of   freight    charges   on   goods    to    the 

Bolivian   customhouse  of  entry.     The   new    method   of  computing 

these    charges    proves   Simpler    and    more    equitable    and    also    reduces 

the  amount  <o  be  paid  for  the  consular  certification  of  shipments  to 

Bolivia. 

FINANCING  OF  TRADE. 

PRICE  QUOTATIONS. 

Price  quotations  to  the  Bolivian  trade  should  be  made  c.  i.  f.  port 
of  discharge  and  should  be  in  dollar-.  Price  lists  should  be  so  pre- 
pared that  there  can  be  no  uncertainty  in  the  buyer's  mind  as  to 
jusl  whai  he  will  be  required  to  pay  \'"\-  any  given  article.  Habitual 
customers     h  mid   be  notified   promptly   of  any  general  changes  in 


TRADE.  217 

prices,  as  neglect  of  this  precaution  has  caused  considerable  hard 
feeling  among  native  houses.  Some  importers  prefer  discount  to 
net  prices. 

CREDIT  TERMS. 

Though  there  is  no  strict  uniformity  in  the  matter,  the  customary 
credit  terms  prevailing  in  the  Bolivian  import  trade  are  90  days' 
sight  or  150  days'  date  draft,  documents  against  acceptance.  How- 
ever, cash  payments  have  become  more  common,  while  in  some 
cases,  on  the  other  hand,  more  than  the  above  limit  is  allowed.  Yet 
the  peculiar  conditions  of  Bolivian  business  make  the  general  adoption 
of  cash  payments  out  of  the  question,  while  it  is  also  highly  doubtful 
whether  credit  terms  will  ever  reach  again  the  extremes  attained 
before  the  war.  During  that  period  extravagantly  long  terms  were 
offered  by  some  European  houses  to  their  customers,  amounting 
sometimes  to  a  year  or  more  and  having  a  demoralizing  influence  on 
business  practices  in  general.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  still  common 
to  hear  American  exporters  charged  with  illiberality  in  the  question 
of  credits,  when  they  refuse  to  grant  the  90  days,  which  is  generally 
accepted  as  a  reasonable  maximum  for  settlement.  Comparatively 
few  Bolivian  buyers  will  agree  with  good  grace  to  send  cash  with 
orders,  though  some  local  importing  houses  with  considerable  accu- 
mulated resources  have  shown  a  willingness  to  buy  on  this  basis. 
The  circumstances  that  should  determine  the  granting  of  credit, 
beyond  the  factor  of  the  particular  importer's  solvency  and  reliability, 
are  the  long  time  required  for  the  transportation  of  merchandise  from 
the  port  of  shipment  to  the  port  of  disembarkation,  the  delay  at  point 
of  transshipment  (often  amounting  to  one  to  two  months),  and  the 
long  time  required  for  turnover  by  importing  houses  with  more  than 
a  strictly  local  business.  Thus  a  La  Paz  firm  may  have  to  carry  its 
customers  in  other  parts  of  the  country  for  two  to  six  months.  In 
addition  to  this  there  is  the  time  lost  in  the  distribution  of  such  goods 
by  rail  or  mule-train.  In  view  of  these  conditions  the  three  months 
commonly  expected  by  Bolivian  importers  can  scarcely  be  considered 
excessive. 

Information  as  to  the  credit  standing  of  Bolivian  firms  can  usually 
be  obtained  from  the  leading  banks  of  the  country,  who  have  shown 
themselves  very  willing  to  aid  exporters  in  this  way.  However,  it 
must  be  taken  into  consideration  that  a  bank  is  somewhat  predis- 
posed to  give  a  favorable  report  on  its  own  clients  and  to  be,  at  most, 
noncommittal  on  those  of  rival  banks.  However,  it  must  be  said  in 
justice  to  the  Bolivian  banks  that  few  cases  are  known  where  this 
motive  has  influenced  a  bank's  report  on  the  reliability  of  a  business 
firm.  Though  they  still  cover  the  country  inadequately  through 
local  representatives,  the  credit-information  services  of  the  well- 
known  American  organizations  are  being  rapidly  extended  in  Bolivia 
in  scope  and  accuracy.  With  the  existing  sources  of  data  at  their 
command,  exporters  should  have  a  satisfactory  basis  on  which  to 
determine  the  terms  of  payment  in  their  Bolivian  trade.  Cases 
where  shippers  so  informed  have  lost  in  dealings  with  Bolivian  houses 
are  rare. 

A  few  Bolivian  firms  maintain  open  accounts  in  New  York  banks 
against  which  they  order. 


218         BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

The  extent  to  which  Bolivian  import  trade  is  financed  through 
differenl  countries  is  illustrated  by  the  following  totals  of  drafts 
sold  l>\  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  in  La  Paz  between  August  1  and 
November  23,  1918: 


Bolivianos. 

London 4,  642,  486 

X.w  York 1,024,652 

Argentina 1, 400, 562 

Chile 553,779 

Peru 358,471 


Bolivianos. 

Paris 169, 593 

Spain 120,809 

Italv 104,693 


8,375,044 


Since  1918  there  has  been  a  considerable  increase  in  the  financing 
of  buying  operations  through  New  York. 


DELIVERIES  AND  COLLECTIONS. 


The  common  procedure  in  making  collections  in  Bolivia,  as 
generally  throughout  South  America,  is  as  follows:  The  exporter 
draws  to  the  order  of  his  banker,  and  against  the  buyer,  a  draft  to 
cover  the  value  of  the  merchandise,  and  in  addition  all  charges,  such 
as  freight,  insurance,  consular  fees,  interest,  and  banking  charges, 
which  have  been  paid  by  the  shipper.  This  draft,  drawn  at  the  time 
the  merchandise  is  shipped,  is  forwarded  to  the  banker,  together  with 
the  documents,  including  the  commercial  invoice,  the  consular 
invoice,  the  bill  of  lading,  and  insurance  certificate.  When  the 
drawee  accepts  the  draft  the  banker  delivers  the  documents  to  him. 
Upon  liquidation  or  payment,  the  banker  remits  to  the  shipper  his 
check  on  New  York  for  the  value  of  the  draft  less  the  collection 
charges. 

Should  the  shipper  desire  to  receive  the  remittance  at  once,  and 
without  awaiting  the  maturity  of  the  draft  at  90  days'  sight  or  150 
days'  date,  Bolivian  banks  will  usually  discount  such  bills  immediately 
upon  their  receipt,  provided  both  drawer  and  drawee  are  known  to 
them  as  reputable  concerns.  In  this  case  the  collecting  bank  will 
remit  the  full  value  of  the  draft,  less  discount  and  collection  charges, 
which  should  have  been  included  in  the  invoice  and  covered  by  the 
ih aft.  The  charge  usually  made  for  discounting  foreign  bills  on 
Bolivian  buyers  is  \  per  cent  commission  and  6  per  cent  discount. 
Remittances  are  made  at  the  bank  rate  of  exchange  of  the  day  plus 
cable  charges.  For  collections  in  La  Paz  the  commission  charge  is 
\  per  cent  for  clean  or  documentary  drafts  of  a  value  Less  t  han  $1,000, 
and  \  percent  for  larger  items,  with  a  minimum  charge  of  $0.50.  In 
addition  there  is  a  charge  of  1.50  Bolivianos  for  postage,  etc.  The 
rate  for  collections  in  the  smaller  cities  of  Bolivia  varies  according  to 
their  remoteness  from  La  Paz,  being  2  per  cent  in  Santa  Cruz  and 
reaching  even  5  per  cent  in  RiUeralta. 

All  drafts  for  collection  should  include  these  charges  in  their  face 
value.  The  banks  do  not  usually  make  any  extra  charges  of  any 
kind.  The  collection  charges  are  the  same  for  clean  and  for  docu- 
mentary items,  whether  for  Bight  or  for  long  usance.  In  forwarding 
items  instructions  Bhould  he  given  as  to  whether  or  not  they  should 
be  protested,  as  the  law  provides  a  time  limit  within  which  protesl 
mil-!  he  filed  and  there  might  be  no  time  for  seeking  instructions. 
The  bank  may  protest  an  uncollected  draft,  either  for  non-acceptance 


TRADE.  219 

or  nonpayment,  without  previous  instructions  from  the  drawer  to 
that  effect.  The  usual  charge  for  protest  is  about  11  bolivianos  for 
each  item  in  La  Paz,  but  the  rate  varies  in  other  cities.  If  has  also 
been  common  for  banks  handling  collections  for  European  shippers 
to  assume  the  responsibility  in  the  matter  of  granting  renewals. 
These  extensions  of  time  on  drafts  are  of  course  only  grante'd  where, 
in  the  bank's  judgment,  the  circumstances  of  the  case  fully  warrant 
such  a  concession.  If  the  item  is  paid  after  protest,  the  drawee 
pays  the  protest  charge.  As  regards  protest  of  items,  the  drawee 
has  24  hours  of  grace — that  is,  until  3  p.  m.  of  the  following  day,  the 
closing  hour  of  the  banks. 

It  is  at  least  theoretically  impossible  to  obtain  a  consignment  of 
goods  before  the  arrival  of  the  related  documents — that  is,  the  com- 
mercial and  consular  invoices,  However,  in  practice  this  require- 
ment is  sometimes  waived,  as  in  cases  where  the  bank  agrees  to 
guarantee  the  submission  of  the  documents  and  the  payment  of  the 
import  duties  and  charges.  Goods  thus  imported  without  a  corres- 
ponding consular  invoice  are  fined  to  the  extent  of  4  per  cent  of  their 
value. 

A  copy  of  the  manifest  covering  the  goods  disembarked  at  the  coast 
must  be  submitted  with  the  other  documents.  This  is  forwarded 
to  the  customhouse  of  entry  in  Bolivia  by  the  Bolivian  "agente 
aduanero"  or  customs  representative  at  the  port  where  the  mer- 
chandise is  landed. 

The  clearance  of  goods  through  the  Bolivian  customs  is  handled 
by  regularly  licensed  "agentes  de  aduana"  or  customs  agents,  who 
must  be  entrusted  with  all  the  necessary  clearance  papers  before 
they  can  effect  the  release  of  merchandise.  These  agents  are  em- 
ployed by  the  consignee.  Among  customs  agents  in  Bolivian  cities 
are  the  following : 

LA    PAZ. 

W.  R.  Grace  &  Co. 
V.  Jauregui  &  Cia. 
Tomas  Bradley. 
Cazorla  Hermanos. 
Federico  Bernales. 


W.  R.  Grace  &  Co.  (Compafiia  Despachadora  de  Aduana). 

V.  Jauregui  &  Cia. 

Oscar  M.  Barrios. 

R.  Valenzuela  &  Cia. 

Dauelsberg  &  Cia. 

Jorge  Larrieu. 

UYUNI. 

Oscar  M.  Barrios. 
Dauelsberg  &  Cia. 

Goods  must  be  entered  at  the  customhouse  within  48  hours 
after  arrival.  The  fine  imposed  for  failure  to  make  such  entry 
within  the  required  time  limit  is  0.05  boliviano  per  day  for  each  23 
kilos  or  fraction  thereof.  The  monthly  charge  is  30  bolivianos.  In 
case  of  inflammable  goods,  this  charge  is  doubled.  This  fine  is  paid 
by  the  consignee.  Goods  may  be  left  in  the  Government  warehouses 
for  30  days,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they  are  auctioned  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  import  duties  and  accumulated   warehousage.     How- 


220        BOLIVIA!    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

ever,  it  is  possible  to  extend  this  period  to  a  year  by  petitioning  the 
customs  authorities.  The  Government  storage  charges  are  0.15 
boliviano  per  100  kilos,  payable  at  time  of  removal  of  goods.  In 
case  of  necessity  the  local  \>anks  arrange  for  the  storing  of  good-. 
if  requested  to  do  so  by  the  seller.  The  insurance  premium  on  ordi- 
nary goods  in  storage  is  1  per  cent,  as  against  f  per  cent  in  inflam- 
mable goods.  It  is  usual  for  the  consignee  to  pay  these  storage  and 
insurance  charges,  unless  the  bank  is  otherwise  instructed.  The 
local  banks  in  Bolivia  do  not  accept  the  consignment  of  goods. 
Eowever,  parcels  may  be  sent  to  a  bank  for  delivery  to  consignee 
against  payment  or  acceptance  of  draft. 

IMPORT  TARIFF. 

The  new  Bolivian  import  schedules,  which  went  into  effect  on 
May  1,  1920,  are  contained  in  the  publication  entitled  "Arancel 
Aduanero  de  Importaciones. ' '  This  book  can  be  obtained  for  the  sum 
of  10  bolivianos  from  any  of  the  leading  book  stores  in  La  Paz, 
such  as  those  of  Gonzalez  &  Medina  and  Arno  Hermanos.  An 
additional  boliviano  should  be  inclosed  to  cover  mailing  charges. 
Copies  are  also  available  for  consultation  in  the  files  of  the  Bureau 
of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce  at  Washington.  The  most 
radical  change  made  by  the  new  tariff  law  is  the  substitution  of  a 
specific  for  an  ad  valorem  basis  in  nearly  all  classes.  The  number 
of  classes  was  also  reduced  by  about  50  per  cent.  However,  customs 
procedure  has  changed  little  from  that  described  in  Tariff  Series 
No.  34,  "Tariff  Systems  of  South  American  Countries,"  published 
by  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce. 

STATISTICS  OF  FOREIGN  TRADE. 

The  official  statistics  of  the  foreign  trade  of  Bolivia  are  found  in 
the  publication  entitled  "Comercio  Especial  de  Bolivia,"  which  is 
prepared  by  the  Section  of  Commercial  Statistics  of  the  General 
Bureau  of  Customs.  However,  this  annual  does  not  usually  appear 
until  at  least  10  or  11  months  after  the  end  of  the  year  which  it 
covers,  and  at  the  time  this  handbook  was  completed — February, 
1921 — the  latest  detailed  figures  available  were  for  1918,  save  in  the 
case  of  some  larger  totals.  The  publication  referred  to  can  be 
obtained  from  either  of  the  more  important  La  Paz  book  stores  at 
a  cost  of  10  bolivianos,  in  addition  to  which  about  2  bolivianos  should 
he  sent  to  cover  carriage  of  the  bulky  volume.  Copies  are  also  held 
for  reference'  in  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce  at 
Washington. 

Values  in  the  official  statistics  are  only  approximations  to  accuracy, 
since  they  represent  the  figures  on  which  import  duties  are  assessed 

and  Dot  the  commercial  values.      However,  as  a  basis  for  calculating 

the  total  foreign  trade  of  Bolivia  they  are  much  more  dependable 

than  the  statistics  of  foreign  countries,  which  do  not  take  into  account 
the  fact  that  much  of  the  merchandise  sent  to  Mollendo,  Ariea,  and 
Antofagasta,  presumably  for  consumption  in  Peru  and  Chile,  is  in 
fact  destined  lor  Bolivia,  and  that  a  large  pari  of  the  exports  from 
these  ports  consist  of  goods  in  transit  from  Bolivia.      In  the  Bolivian 


TRADE. 


221 


statistics  themselves  it  is  impossible  to  distinguish  in  all  cases  be- 
tween strictly  transit  and  reexport  shipments  through  the  neigh- 
boring countries.  Thus  a  large  amount  of  American  lumber  pur- 
chased by  an  Antofagasta  house  and  later  shipped  into  Bolivia  is 
credited  to  Chile  in  the  Bolivian  statistics,  whereas  its  true  source  of 
origin  was  the  United  States. 

TOTAL  FOREIGN  TRADE  FOR  PERIOD  1909-1919. 

The  value  of  the  total  imports  and  exports  of  Bolivia  by  years  for 
the  period  1909-1919  was  as  follows: 


Years. 

Imports. 

Exports. 

Total. 

1909 

Bolivianos. 
36,  939,  940 

48,  802,  394 
58,371,409 

49,  508,  9S9 
54,  762,  833 
39, 761,  222 
22, 574,  566 
31, 098,  215 
33, 480,  831 
34,  999,  886 
61, 997,  024 

Bolivianos. 
63,  764,  466 
75, 622, 146 
82, 631,  171 
90, 122,  987 
93,  721,  513 
65,  801, 146 
95, 210,  350 
101,  4*4,  800 
157,  748,  054 
182,  612,  850 
144,  251,  527 

Bolivianos. 
100,701,  107 
124  424  541 

1910 

1911 

1912 

139,  631,  977 
148,  484,  347 

1913 

1914 

1915 

117,  7S4,  917 
132,  5S3, 015 

1916 

1917 

1918 

217, 612,  737 
206,  24N,  552 

1919 

EXPORTS  BY  CLASSES  OF  GOODS. 


Total  exports  from  Bolivia  by  different  classes  during  the  years 
1913-1917  were  as  follows: 


Classes. 


1914 


Live  animals 

Foodstuffs 

Hides 

Coca  leaves 

Quinine  bark 

Rubber 

Lumber 

Copper  ores 

Lead  ores 

Zinc  ores 

Tin  ores 

Bismuth 

Wolframite 

Antimony 

Wools 

Manufactured  articles 

Silver  ores 

Coined  gold 

Coined  silver 

All  other  articles 

Total 


Bolivianos. 

117,  310 

27,  759 

359,  790 

682, 192 

41, 1S3 

14, 651, 647 

3,700 

3, 286,  714 

353,  059 

233, 150 

67,  784,  377 

2, 092,  924 

415,  417 

12,  410 

32,  689 

261, 199 

2,  784,  354 

153,  750 

212,  431 

215,  458 


Bolivianos. 
238,  869 
75,034 
286,  665 
651,  423 
26,  538 
8, 280,  370 


4,  442,  735 

155,  457 

140,  623 

42,  479,  837 

2,  802,  278 

428,  300 

30,  616 

100,223 

2S6,  604 

2,  531,  328 

2,  478,  662 

20,807 

344,  777 


Bolivianos. 

792,  860 

140,  800 

470,  852 

731,  902 

78,  561 

10,  768,  937 

12,  501 

14, 035,  310 

353,  239 

18,  559 

44,  885,  450 

3, 670,  452 

1,  497,  845 

13, 442,  286 

214,  166 

295,  842 

2, 982,  858 

57,  331 

397,  754 

362,  S45 


Bolivianos. 

1, 811,  492 

94,  730 

620, 166 

623,  880 

158,  488 

13, 292,  264 

25, 625 

S,  s.-,4,  ,Y_>| 

460,  949 

236,  609 

42, 652,  258 

3, 154,  905 

5,  675,  700 

16, 996,  503 

300,  212 

1,661,773 

4,  493,  610 

23,500 

94,  022 

253,  590 


Bolivianos. 

1, 751,  983 

71,084 

716,  763 

cs\Ml 

196,  742 

15, 424,  202 

17,600 

11, 921, 144 

1,  514,  914 

530,  780 

85, 25S,  482 

4,116,677 

10,  810,  291 

17, 017,  907 

409,  387 

1, 169,  257 

5, 69.3,  639 

1,250 

32X,  273 

108,  838 


93,  721,  513 


65,  S01, 146 


95,  210, 350 


101,484,  von 


157,  74S,  054 


222        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL  HANDBOOK. 

Classified  in  greater  detail,  the  exports  from  Bolivia  in  1918, 
including  reexported  goods,  amounted  to  the  following  figures  (the 
products  arc  shown  in  the  order  of  their  value): 


Art  ides. 


Bolivianos. 


Percent- 
age of 
total 

value. 


Tin  concentrate- 

Wolfram 

Rubber,  One 

Copper  ores 

Antimony 

Silver  sulphides 

Silver  ores 

Bismuth  l>ars 

Coppi  n  

Rubber,  ordinary 

Tin  bars 

bead  ores 

Live  animals 

Sheep  wool 

Silver  cement 

Coca  leaves 

Bismuth  concentrates 

Salted  hides 

Copper  sulphides 

Bismuth  ores 

Alpaca  wool 

Bismuth  residues 

Iron  manufactures 

Silver  coin 

Llama  wool 

Bails 

Quinine  bark 

Copper  cement 

Copper  matte 

Manufactured  furs 

Automobiles  and  accessories . 
Eggs. 


Household  utensils 

Chuno 

Cotton  thread 

Other  manufactured  goods. 
Mining  machinerv 

Wire. 


Glassware 

Antimon  v  bars 

Coffee 

Firewood 

Sacks  for  metals 

Bank  notes 

Locomot  i  ves 

1  fried  fruits 

bead  bars 

Jewelry 

Corn  (lour 

"Muk/' 

Machinery  and  parts,  not  elsewhere  sj 



,'iiits 

Chemicals 

Fresh  vegetables 

Other  mineral  oils 



Drj  goods 

u  heal  Bour 

iron  tubing 



Other  materials 

Metallic  silver 


Potatoes 

Matien    ■ 

Nickel  ores 

I-ard 

Art  obji 
Bole  le  ither. . , 
All  other  articles 

\i 


48,052 

3,418 
2,860 

6,822 

120 

12,037 

248 

3,935 

1,427 

74S 

4,589 

6,875 

725 

156 

355 

7") 

7.36 

1,900 

111 

191 

53 

1,481 

4 

146 

1,226 

190 

134 

133 

2 

15 

42 

11 

29 

3 

42 

128 

5 

3 

13 

13 

712 

21 

31 
24 

17 

16 
15 
26 
3 
39 

12 

I 
1 

6 
4 

1 
II 

4 
9 

I 

2, 
159, 


10,591 
8,  272 
1,155 
1,111 
3,353 
3,196 
3,144 

2,  765 

2,660 

1,79."> 

1,556 

1,139 

- 

771 

616 

510 

429 

415 

311 

258 

225 

208 

198 

174 

168 

104 

100 

57 

40 

37 

28 

19 

17 

17 

16 

15 

14 

13 

11 

11 

10 

10 

10 

8 

7 

7 


616 
129 

:,7s 
799 
100 
517 
1  to 
371 
327 
164 
522 

029 
102 
941 

56 1 

Mil 

86 1 
913 

22i  i 

975 

list; 
126 
:;22 
513 
630 
919 
682 
600 
531 
160 

.-,.-,  s 

t',1-,11 

124 
902 

vi.-, 

133 

150 

nil 
922 
:,I7 
000 
:,M 
000 
000 
349 

o  6 
040 
415 

-.72 
977 
685 

U7.-, 
020 

000 
000 
904 

822 

■ 
745 

000 
52] 


120,710,663 


182,612,850 


UK).  00 


TRADE. 


223 


The  proportion  between  the  different  classes  of  Bolivian  exports 
during  1919  was  as  follows: 


Classes. 


Quantity. 


Kilo? 


Percenl  - 
age. 


Value. 


Bolivianos. 


Percent- 
age. 


Mineral  products 

Vegetable  products. . . . 

Animal  products 

Reexported  goods 

National  manufactures 


99,078,272 
7,675,348 

10,935,604 
1,353,080 

48,914 


83.25 
6.44 
9.18 
1.09 

.04 


126,632,675 

12,144,485 

4,874,499 

417,681 

182,187 


87.88 

8.39 

3.35 

.27 

.11 


According  to  a  more  detailed  classification  the  exports  of  1919 
were  as  follows: 


Articles. 


Live  animals 

Foodstuffs 

Coffee 

Hides , 

Ostrich  feathers 

Coca  leaves 

Quinine  bark 

Lumber 

Rubber 

Copper  ores  and  concen 

trates 

Lead 

Zinc 

Tin  bars 


Kilos. 


9,305,465 

154,995 

205,427 

913, 096 

1 

413, 050 

193,981 

1,410,119 

5,347,323 

22,970,243 

4,769,281 

1,901,521 

287, 896 


Bolivianos. 


1,863,601 

78,253 

232,868 

656,731 

10 

984,479 

174,318 

29,609 

10,691,096 

5,316,671 

1, 820, 130 

478, 362 

652,993 


Articles. 


Tin  concentrates 

Bismuth 

Wolfram 

Antimony 

Alpaca  wool 

Sheep  wool 

Llama  wool 

Other  raw  materials . . 
Manufactured  articles. 

Silver  ores 

Silver  coin 

Total 


Kilos. 


48,211,287 

374,076 

1,994,769 

237,979 

101,779 

425, 854 

126, 872 

194, 396 

1,401,993 

18, 145, 857 

3,958 


119,091,218 


Bolivianos. 


99,271,450 

3,181,642 

3,246,501 

132, 226 

517,253 

1,362,735 

405,990 

36, 793 

599, 767 

12,349,384 

168, 665 


144,251,527 


EXPORTS  BY  DEPARTMENTS. 

Exports  by  departments  in  1918  were  as  follows: 


Quantity. 

Value. 

Departments. 

Kilos. 

Percent- 
age. 

Bolivianos. 

Percent- 
age. 

62,777,029 

14,966,168 

30, 137, 139 

3,921,461 

752, 362 

3,926,370 

846,  868 

1,933,283 

1,449,983 

52.01 
12.40 
24.97 
3.25 
.62 
3.25 
.70 
1.60 
1.20 

117,259,599 

31,820,420 

18,831,685 

9, 863, 531 

1,739,774 

1,203,431 

826,247 

686, 503 

381, 660 

64  22 

17.43 

10  31 

5  40 

.95 

Santa  Cruz 

.66 

Beni 

.45 

37 

Chuquisaca 

.21 

Total 

120,710,663 

100. 00 

182,612,850 

100  00 

224        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

EXPOR1       B1    <  Ol  MlilKS   OF  DESTINATION. 

The   proportion   of   Bolivian   exports  by   countries  of  destination 
during  the  period  1913-1919  was  as  follow-: 


Countries  "f  destina- 

1913 

1914 

1915 

i"\<; 

tion. 

Volume. 

Value. 

Volume. 

Value. 

Value. 

Volume. 

Value. 

:.''  28 
15.  95 

2.71 
1.57 

1 .  27 
.29 
.27 
2 
.14 

I'lT  Cl  111. 

8.47 
4.88 
.98 
.64 
3.38 
.60 
.02 
.04 
.14 

I'i  r  a  nl. 

9.  73 

3.02 

.79 

5.31 

.01 

.117 
.01 

Pit  cent. 
78.93 

4.04 

1.35 
1.88 
2.87 
3.  72 
.HI 
1.54 

.05 
1.02 
3.10 
1.16 

Pit  ci  nl. 
i 

7 

.86 

1.52 

.7s 

l'i  t  ci  nl. 
62.90 

Pi r  ant. 
65.05 

1.07 
6.00 

4.74 

1.08 

2.40 

Chile 

2.26 

United  States 

.:     l 
.85 
.22 
.22 

26.28 
.17 
.08 
! 

23.90 

1.10 

.21 
.08 

28.47 

.20 

Other  countries 

.29 

tation. 

1917 

1918 

1919 

Volume. 

Value. 

Volume. 

Value. 

Volume. 

Value. 

Pi  r  a  at. 
50.  88 

4.35 

5.  16 

1. 15 

.is 
.07 

Pir  cent. 

57.  26 

2.72 

1.54 

1 .  93 

36.07 

.12 

.21 

.15 

Pit  cult. 

35.03 

.91 

5. 46 

41.13 

1.13 

1.09 

.20 

Per  a  ni. 

41.61 

.16 

5.24 

1.51 

49.85 

1 .  22 

.28 

.13 

Pit  cent. 

31.35 

1.19 

7.  12 

12.97 

44.77 

1.46 

.12 

.38 

Pit  ci  nt. 

1.74 

2.00 

Chile 

5.12 

41.34 

.10 

.18 

.24 

Exports   to   the   United   States  by  classes  in   1918,   according   to 
Bolivian  figures,  were  as  follows: 


Hides  and  skins: 

Cow 

i 

Slue]) 



Alpaca 

Deer 

<M  hers 

Quinine  hark 



Rubber: 

Fine 

i  ither  grades 

Dye  and  tanning  woods. . . 
Copper: 

c 

Cement 

Sulphides 

On  a 



Tin: 



oentrates 


Kilos. 


121,467 

81,685 

814 

81 

122.771- 

2,404,334 

97 

3,749,490 

5,  119 

1,900,000 

19,290,440 

91,628 


Bolivianos. 


'.17,  17:; 
14,259 
16,355 

1,628 

107,861 
1,680 

6,966,  121 

2,817,859 

4,098 

129,913 

287,928 


• 


Bismuth  bars 

Wolfram  concentrates. . 

Antimony  oris 

Nickel  ores 

tmples 

Alpaca  WOO] 

Sheep  wool 

ool 

Is 

Manufactured  furs 

•  ithi  r  manufactures. . . . 
Manufactured  iron  goods 

Household  utensils 

Silver: 



Sulphides 

-  ui 

('"in 

Total 


Kile  IS. 


4-".0 

399 
126 

41,446 
137 

14 

18 

129,387 
2,536 


61,720,087 


Bolivianos. 


6,655 

1 ,  74.". 
58 

:;.42o 

70 
4.210 
1,900 

2,102,313 

810,829 
106,724 


75,991,792 


Exports  to  the  United  States  in  L919,  according  to  Bolivian  figures, 
amounted  to  53,302,648  kilos,  representing  a  value  of  59,583,252 
bolivianos,  or,  respectively,  11.77  percent  and  li.:;  I  percent  of  the 
total  figures  for  trie  foreign  commerce  of  the  country.     Exports  of 


TRADE. 


225 


tin  to  tho  United  States  had  a  value  of  41,519,062  bolivianos  and 
those  of  rubber  a  value  of  6,836,483  bolivianos.  Between  1913  and 
1918,  inclusive,  Bolivian  exports  to  the  United  States  increased  from 
548,596  to  75,991,792  (or  about  137  times  the  pre-war  exports).  Of 
the  exports  of  1913,  539,520  bolivianos  represented  rubber.  During 
the  same  period  imports  from  the  United  States  increased  only  from 
4,044,103  to  11,311,209  bolivianos. 

The  growth  of  Bolivia's  trade  with  the  United  States  during  the 
period  1910-1918  is  graphically  shown  by  the  following  chart  (the 
figures  at  the  sides  indicating  value  in  millions  of  bolivianos) : 


IMPORTS. 


EXPORTS. 


1910         1911         1912         1913         1914         191}         1916         1917         1918 

Fig.  19. — Graphic  representation  of  Bolivian  trade  with  United  States. 

The  foregoing  statistics  of  exports  to  the  United  States  represent 
the  official  Bolivian  figures,  as  published  in  the  "Comercio  Especial 
de  Bolivia."  Declared  export  figures,  in  customary  English  units  of 
quantity  and  with  the  values  in  United  States  currency,  are  also 
submitted  by  American  consular  officers.  Exports  declared  at  the 
consulate  at  La  Paz,  Bolivia,  for  -the  United  States  during  1920 
totaled  $19,285,583,  thereby  trebling  those  of  the  preceding  year, 
which  totaled  $6,191,085.  Tin  ore  leads  these  exports  both  in  quan- 
tity and  in  value,  aggregating  51,147,397  pounds,  worth  $17,096,096, 
in  1920,  against  11,084,536  pounds,  worth  $3,052,105,  in  1919.  Cop- 
per ore  is  second,  with  13,255,718  pounds,  worth  $986,776,  in  1920, 
and  22,663,783  pounds,  worth  $1,194,948,  in  1919.  A  considerable 
amount  of  Bolivian  exports  to  the  United  States,  especially  tin 
and  copper  ore,  during  the  years  1919  and  1920,  were  invoiced  at 
Arica,  Chile,  and  are  shown  under  statistics  of  exports  from  that  port. 

Exports  to  Great  Britain  in  1919  had  a  total  volume  of  37,335 
metric  tons  and  a  value  of  71,121,336  bolivianos,  or,  respectively,  31.35 
per  cent  and  49.28  per  cent  of  the  total  volume  of  Bolivia's  exports. 
The  principal  exports  consisted  of  tin  to  the  value  of  about  55,000,000 
bolivianos  and  silver  to  a  value  of  more  than  6,000,000 


44462°— 21- 


-15 


•2  •_'(', 


BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   .VXD    INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 


Bolivia  exported  to  Chile  in  1 '.»!!»  15,455  metric  tons  of  merchan- 
dise, valued  at  7,380,909  bolivianos,  a  Large  pari  of  which  was  later 
reexported.  According  to  Bolivian  statistics,  tin  concentrates  valued 
at  LMs  1.1  13  bolivianos  and  silver  ores  to  a  value  of  3.071 .7"_)(.)  bolivi- 
anos were  exported  to  Chile. 

Exports  to  Argentina  amounted  to  X. 888,731  kilos,  valued  at 
2,880,827  bolivianos.  Chief  among  these  were:  Cattle,  1,575,860  bo- 
livianos: coca  leaves,  794,558  bolivianos;  lead  ores,  220,633  bolivi- 
anos; and  silver  coin,  168,663  bolivianos. 

IMPORTS  BY  CLASSES  OF  GOODS. 

Imports  by  general  classes  during  MUX  were  as  follows: 


Classes. 


Live  slock  (37,056 head) 
Foodstuffs  and  liquors. 

Haw  materials,  etc 

Manufactured  goods  — 
Gold  and  silver  coin  — 

Total 


Quantity. 


Kilos. 


5,d3s,f>55 
38,645,609 

N7,n<to,s:i9 

4.S4 


150,335,730 


Percent- 
age. 


3.09 
25.70 
58.60 
12.  61 


Value. 


Bolivianos 


2,040,632 
8,957,367 
7,022,630 

Hi,  22!  1,07 2 
750, 1S5 


100.00         34,999,880 


Percent- 


5.83 
25.59 
20.07 
46.37 

2.14 


100.00 


The  volume  of  imports,  according  to  the  most  important  items, 
for  the  years  1918  and  1919,  was  as  follows: 


Articles. 


Coal  

Flour 

Sugar 

Railway  lies 
Lumber .  — 


Kilos. 

30,121,372 
18,163,349 
8,  150,901 
15,  152,962 
14,049,139 


1919 


Kilos. 
24,883,344 
16,719,783 

9,103,379 
8,626,981 
6,374,337 


Articles. 


Cemenl 

Gold  coin 

Other  merchandise 

Total 


1918 


Kilos. 

.-,.n:>,o,ns'.i 

478 

53,367,  no 


Kilns. 
1,872,351 
3,  130 


150,335,730     115,981,033 


IMPORTS  BY  DEPARTMENTS. 


The  destination  of  these  imports  by  Departments  of  the  Republic 

was  as  follows: 


Departments. 

1918 

h'il<  is. 
18,237,283 



50,71  1 

909,661 

1,279,041 

2,014,  188 

Kilns. 

40,924,782 

37,583,283 

30,197,032 

2,  174,835 

1 ,  563, 737 

1, 181,292 


Departments. 


Tarija 

Chuqui 
Santa  Cruz. . . . 

Total.. 


1918 


Kilns. 

682,365 

101 .  .Vis 

630,202 


150,335,730 


Kilns. 

1,014,682 

587,981 


115,981,033 


Of  the  total  \olumr  of  import-  in  L919,  32.3!)  per  cent  was  con- 
sumed in  the  Department  of  Potosi;  32.  K)  per  cent  in  that  of  La  Paz; 
26.03  per  cent  in  Oruro;  and  only  6.28  per  cent  in  the  rest  of  the 
country.     However,   the  relative  value  of  the  import-  l>\    Depart- 


TRADE. 


227 


ments  was  45  per  cent  for  La  Paz,  22  per  cent  for  Potosi,  21  per  cent 
for  Oruro,  and  12  per  cent  for  the  remainder  of  the  country. 

Imports  by  classes  into  each  Department  during   191S  were   as 
follows : 


Departments  and  classes. 

Kilo/?. 

Bolivianos. 

Departments  and  classes. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Department  of  La  Paz: 
Live  stock  (4,686  head) 
Foodstuffs  and  liquors 
Raw  materials,  etc. . . 
Manufactured  goods.. 

433, 720 

20, 524, 433 

22, 789, 969 

6, 963, 231 

482 

161,992 
4,561,468 
1, 855, 156 
6,110,753 

750, 1S5 

Department     of    El 
Beni — Continued . 
Manufactured  goods.. 

Total 

389, 574 

411, 570 

1,279,041 

682,733 

Department     of    Cocha- 
bamba: 
Live  stock  (373  head). 
Foodstuffs  and  liquors 
Raw  materials,  etc. . . 
Manufactured  goods.. 

Total 

Gold  and  silver  coin. . 

36, 190 
298,310 

73,070 
502,091 

Total 

50, 711, 835 

13, 439,  554 

27, 850 

Department  of  Potosi: 
Live     stock     (28, 506 

3,  .533, 925 
6,563,018 

33.197,512 
4,942,828 

1,  .539, 803 
1,440,600 
2,680,837 
4,081,994 

91,108 

27, 727 
545,472 

Foodstuffs  and  liquocs 

909,661 

692. 157 

Raw  materials,  etc. . . 

Department  of  Tarija: 
Live  stock  (662  head) . 
Foods  tuff  sand  liquors 
Raw  materials,  etc... 
Manufactured  goods.. 

Total 

Manufactured  goods.. 

63,650 

401,918 

13,645 

203, 152 

Total    

48,237,283 

9, 743, 234 

28, 570 
97, 897 

Department,  of  Oruro: 
Livestock  (32  head).. 

9,600 

8,634,374 

31,387,470 

:,,  137,843 

9,552 
2,068,107 
2,411,218 
4, 000, 235 

2,102 
346,403 

Foodstuffs  and  liquors 

682,365 

474,972 

Department  of  Santa  Cruz: 
Livestock  (1,373  head) 
Foodstuffs  and  liquors 
Raw  materials,  etc. . . 
Manufactured  goods.. 

Total 

Manufactured  goods.. 

276,800 

183,899 

12,647 

156, 852 

Total 

45,469,287 

8,489,112 

153, 000 

Territorio    Nacional    de 

1,392,312 
394, 057 
228,119 

433,004 

24, 293 

290,649 

2,221 
226, 850 

Foodstuffs  and  liquors 

630, 198 

428, 577 

Raw  materials,  etc. . . 

Department   of  Chuqui- 
saca: 

Live  stock  (729  head) . 
Foodstuffs  and  liquors 
Raw  materials,  etc... 
Manufactured  goods.. 

Total 

Manufactured  goods.. 

136,990 
96, 806 
31,318 

136,454 

Total 

2,014,488 

747,946 

46,725 

36,445 

Department  of  El  Beni: 
Live  stock  (695  head). 

147,780 
550, 537 
191, 150 

73, 140 

182,228 
15, 795 

3,278 
215,150 

Foodstuffs  and  liquors 
Raw  materials,  etc... 

401,568 

301,598 

IMPORTS  BY  CUSTOMHOUSES. 

The  imports  by  the  different  customhouses  during  1919  were  as 
follows : 


Customhouses. 


Uyuni.  . .. 

Oruro 

La  Paz — 
Corocoro . . 
Villazon . . . 
Villa  Bella 
Yacuiba . . 


Kilos. 


38,  552,  243 
30,  430,  503 
26,  5S4,  586 
9, 563,  482 
6, 833,  133 
1, 517,  237 
1,  004,  653 


Percent- 


33.24 

26.25 

22.91 

8.24 

5.90 

1.31 

.87 


Customhouses. 


Abuna 

Cobija 

Puerto  Suarez 
Tarija 

Total... 


Kilos. 


612,  760 

568, 531 

275, 169 

38,  736 


115,9S1,033 


Percent- 
age. 


0.53 
.48 
.24 
.03 


228        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 
IMPORTS  BY  COUNTRIES  OF  ORIGIN. 

Total  imports  into  Bolivia  according  to  countries  for  the  period 
1914-1918  were  as  follows: 


Countries. 


I'll  I 


United  States. 
Chile 


Great  Britain. 
Peru 


fkilos 

\  bolivianos.. 

/kilos 

•■(bolivianos.. 

!  kilos 
bolivianos. . 
kilos 
bolivianos.. 

(kilos 

Argentina [bolivianos.. 

„  (kilos 

Germany \bolivianos. . 

„  .  .  (kilos 

Belgium (bolivianos.. 

_.      .,  /kilos 

ara7U \bolivianos. . 

„  (kilos 

Framc (bolivianos.. 

T .   .  /kilos 

ltalv \bolivianos. . 

„      .  /kilos 

^I,LU" \bolivianos. . 

(kilos 

(bolivianos.. 

Netherlands fflvianos! '. 

T    ,.  /kilos 

Imua \bolivianos. . 

Sweden {bolivianos! '. 

Portugal {boUvianos" 

TT  (kilos 

L  ™guay \bolivianos. . 

-r.  ,  (kilos 

Denmark jbolivianos. . 

T  (kilos 

JaPan \bolivianos.. 

Other  count rirs {bolivianos! '. 


„  .   ,  /kilos 

'"';U \  bolivianos. 


China. 


34,  223, 923 

L  636, 751 

.v.',  102,738 

5,  ivy,  293 

9, 583,  750 

7,808,760 

12,  490,  454 

2,  855,  578 

9,110,961 

2,579,838 

24,833,387 

10, 625,  300 

8,211,456 

2, 306,  322 

2,945,  W 

790,  616 

948, 925 

1,058,343 

1,02:.,  171 

763,  274 

507, 186 

528,  120 

943,909 

133,618 

39 

190 

100, 952 

14, 133 


Sl,5N5 

05,  6*6 

136, 855 

41,238 

3,  121', 

1,713 

53,442 

8,  IV.) 

116,217 

52, 94S 


157, 725, 873 
39, 758, 210 


1915 


23,  1  17,  H»7 

4,  766, 291 

25,201,973 

3, 373, 235 

10, 072, 022 

3,634,  187 

13,591,971 

4,271,012 

5, 137,  751 

1,  175,869 

1, 625,  097 

1, 075,  772 

2, 491,  437 

924, 345 

2, 567,  177 

831,880 

349,  687 

124,  595 

682,013 

614,944 

302,  326 

21;,,  807 

1,007,391 

140,925 

708,536 

533,  738 

1,  l.-.s,  623 

168,555 

12, 936 

3,(117 

8,057 

8,512 

38,  1'.':: 

10, 81 1 

59,244 

is,  109 

15 

748 
42,  344 
21,271 


88, 204, 500 
22, 574, 556 


1916 


41,322,931 
9,  394,  797 
54, 046, 193 

6,380,646 
9,  70s,  |.-,n 

4,146,226 

1 1,  276,  381 

1,275,  his 

8,  .542,  192 

2,  113,933 

42,  334 

38,022 

4,  550,  384 

1, 6(52,  20S 

2,  807,  374 

960,  i::o 

349,524 

631,866 

404,  670 

462,009 

B6,  183 

444, 366 

■•mm,  399 

125, 991 

125,511 

59,  757 

sir.,  159 

129,  119 

SS,067 

23,  1 1 1 

22, 036 

27,612 

7  s.  675 

28,999 

283,067 

86,  172 

1,177 

4,117 

123,834 

9*,  739 


138,953,841 
31,097,931 


36,6l!l.    161 

11, 167,  398 

67, 16s,  856 
7  885,206 

12,020,520 
4,061,336 

16,,  733,  sr,s 
4, 469, 962 
6, 008,  944 
2,  157,395 
35.708 

15,30.-, 

858,046 

96,  435 

3, 355,  367 

1,  170,834 

158,  -'si 

734,357 

228, 982 

122,  583 

531,847 

613,949 

2, 1st,  839 

312,  267 

34,  737 

15,  193 

202,  s76 

105,911 
52,  105 
59, 329 
54, 052 

128,919 
49, 092 

212, 048 
2:,,  99 1 
12,300 
27,519 

276, 388 

115,997 


117,267,227 
33,  lso,  sl7 


1 1,  510,  311 

11,311,209 

66,937,532 

S.I  ISO,  6,71) 

12, 002, 364 

1,1  1 1,  '.171 

12,788,705 

4,36s,  . -,H 

s,  172,7X6 

3, 799, 7(i5 

58.  I  is 

53,109 


2,826,445 

1, 029, 222 
454,106 
676,  106 
158,401 
355,956 
135,  498 
621,528 
929,403 
130,116 
3,700 
3,100 

C'.lsjist 
lis,  062 

is2, 126 

112,  ls7 
16, 492 
20,  II.-, 
53,788 
12,  790 
13,499 
6,567 
48,564 
75,189 
45.  1 1 1 
50,092 


150,335,726 
34,999,875 


The  proportion  of  imports  by   countries  of  origin  during  the  two 
years  1913  and  1918  was  as  follows: 


Countries. 


Bolivianos. 


United  States 

Chile 

Greal  Britain 

Peru -" 

Brazil 

Prance 

Se^^:::::::::::::::::::::""::::::""»»»""--- 

countries 6,671,849 


4,014,103 
5,559,  W2 
11. 101,268 
3,025,757 
994,883 
2,058,  112 

1,303. 199 


Percent- 


7  38 

10.  15 

20  27 
5.  53 
1  82 
3.76 
2.  37 
36.50 
12  22 


Bolivianos. 


1,311,209 
8, 089, 679 

I,  II  I. 'i71 

1,029,222 

676,,  106 
355,956 

.-,3,  10'.  I 

1,970,828 


Percent- 
age. 


32.31 
23.11 

U.s--. 

12.  IS 
2.  9 1 
1.93 
1.01 
.02 

14.35 


TRADE.  229 

Imports  from  the  United  States  in  1913*  were  classified  as  follows: 


Articles. 

Bolivianos. 

Articles. 

Bolivianos. 

Articles. 

Bolivianos. 

FOODSTUFFS. 

85,494 

1,237,480 

276,954 

MANUFACTURED  ARTI- 
CLES. 

71,446 
88,059 
409,0.53 
236,634 
60,952 

201,644 
68,506 
2,856 
63,915 
37, 593 
23,292 
10,384 

MANUFACTURED  ARTI- 
CLES— continued. 

Agricultural    imple- 

Flour 

33,977 

Cotton  fabrics 

Printed  articles 

Iron  sheets  and  bars  . 
Other  iron  manufac- 

Total 

1,599,928 

1,855 

Guns  and  ammuni- 

226,705 
54,238 
10,086 
29, 033 
40, 609 

65,767 

Other  articles 

Total  

706,635 

Mining  machinery. . . 

2,083,504 

Coal 

Sewing  machines 

Other  machines 

Tools  for  laborers 

Grand  total 

4, 044, 103 

Other 

Total 

360,671 

The  principal  imports  from  the  United  States  in  1918  were  as 
follows : 


Articles. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Articles. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

763,800 

10,686,552 

1,488,726 

202,486 

427,580 
245, 519 

1,272,381 
10,707,805 

1,768,797 
193,918 

1,485,143 

1,116,890 

1,068,655 

706,825 

464, 119 

427, 580 
302,415 
326,005 
308, 793 
283, 007 
280, 562 
207,920 

643, 497 

2, 317, 367 

1,212,169 

886, 762 

72, 288 

304, 159 

183,620 

105, 689 

46,416 

9,495,667 

193  049 

185  389 

Mining  machinery 

Automobiles  and  acces- 

179, 571 
176, 462 

Shellfish  and  canned  fish  . . 

169  169 

Un bleached  cottons  ("to- 

156, 495 
154  366 

Cottons  i  n  general 

Stearin  and  paraffin 

Wire 

142, 429 

117  155 

4, 344, 353 

Flour 

Total. 

44,510,341 

11  311  209 

The  principal  imports  from  the  United  States  during  1919  con- 
sisted of  the  following  goods : 


Articles. 

Bolivianos. 

Mining  machinerv 

2,167,254 

Unbleached  cottons  ("tocuyos") 

1,392,993 

Other  cotton  textiles 

1,603,613 

Sacks  for  ores 

830  199 

The  total  value  of  imports  from  the  United  States  in  1919  was 
more  than  23,500,000  bolivianos,  or  more  than  double  that  for  1918. 

The  principal  imports  from  other  countries  during  1919  were  as 
follows : 


Countries  and  articles. 

Bolivianos. 

Countries  and  articles. 

Bolivianos. 

Great  Britain: 

Cotton  textiles 

1,973,000 

1,162,588 

1,626,706 

549, 547 

4,371,958 
1,215,326 

Peru: 

4  032  813 

Unbleached  cottons  ("tocuyos").. 

Sacks  for  ores „ 

391  509 

Coal 

Argentina: 

Flour 

Chile: 

399, 759 

Flour 

178, 641 
1,828,271 

Coal 

230         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 
PRINCIPAL  LINES  OF  GOODS  IMPORTED. 

HARDWARE. 

In  any  consideration  of  this  market  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
Bolivia  is  essentially  a  mining  country,  and  that  all  other  industries 
are  in  a  comparatively  Low  state  of  development.  There  are  few 
manufactures,  and  these  operate  on  a  small  scale.  Agriculture  is 
carried  on  in  a  quite  primitive  fashion  and  with  the  fewest  tools 
possible.  The  mechanical  trades,  such  as  carpentry,  require,  as 
now  conducted,  a  minimum  of  equipment.  There  is  a  fair  demand 
For  miners'  tools  of  all  kinds,  and  the  railways  use  a  large  amount  of 
hardware  of  all  sorts.  While  American  goods  have  gained  a  very 
strong  position  in  the  Bolivian  hardware  market  since  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  much  of  the  distribution  is  in  the  hands  of  Germans. 
One  large  German  house  has  branches  in  nearly  all  the  important 
cities  of  the  plateau. 

Imports  of  some  classes  of  hardware  during  1918  were  as  follows: 


Classes. 


Total. 


Bolivi- 
anos. 

Carpenters'  tools 155, 40>5 

Minors'  tools 30, 988 

Agricultural  implements 22,  313 

Farming  tools '      42, 034 

Wire 193, 546 


From 
United 

States. 


Bolivi- 

anos. 
©,503 

11,948 

8,776 

16,  761 

142,  429 


Classes. 


Locks 

Copper  and  brass  goods 

Enameled  ironware 

Firearms 

Ammunition 


Total. 


Bolivi- 
anos. 
60,590 
37,290 

36,237 


From 
States. 


Buliii 
anos. 
48, 817 
8.  I-'-' 
36,504 


In  1916  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce  published 
a  monograph  entitled  ''Markets  for  American  Hardware  in  Chile  and 
Bolivia,    Miscellaneous  Series  No.  41,  the  price  being  25  cents.1 

CONSTRUCTION  MATERIALS. 

The  Bolivian  market  for  construction  materials  is  covered  in 
detail  in  Special  Agents  Series  No.  188,  by  W.  W.  Ewing,  entitled 
"Construction  Materials  amd  Machinery  in  Argentina  and  Bolivia," 
price  20  cents.  Increasing  quantities  of  imported  cement  are  being 
used  in  construction  work,  even  in  reinforced  concrete  work  in  La 
Paz.  Nearly  all  the  lime  used  is  produced  locally.  Rough  bricks 
are  made  in' all  parts  of  the  country,  but  there  is  a  limited  demand 
for  fire  brick.  Most  of  the  lumber  used  comes  from  our  Pacific 
States  (largely  redwood  and  Oregon  pine),  though  Chilean  lumber 
is  being  imported  in  increasing  quantities.  Considerable  amounts 
of  "calamina,"  or  galvanized  sheets,  are  used  for  rooting,  as  well  as 
for  warehouse  and  temporary  construction.  Red  tiles,  which  are 
used  widely  for  roofing,  are  produced  locally.  Most  of  the  builders' 
hardware  is  imported  from  the  United  States.  With  the  completion 
of  the  projected  sanitary  works  in  most  of  the  important  plateau 
cities,  then-  should  be  a  good  market  for  plumbing  and  bath-room 
supplies.     Good  lines  of  these  are  now  carried  in  La  Paz,  in  spite  oi 

the  limited  use. 


i  The  publications  mentioned  In  this  and  the  bucc ling  Bections  may  be  obtained  tram  the  <lism.-t  or 

cooperative  o  Bureau  <>r  [rom  the  Superintendent  of  Documents,  Government  Printing  Office, 

Wa  hington,  D.  C. 


TRADE. 


231 


Among  different  classes  of  construction  materials  imported  in  1918 
wore  the  following: 


Articles. 

Total. 

From  United  States. 

Metric  tons. 

Bolivianos. 

Metric  tons. 

Bolivianos. 

5, 030 

13.485 

563 
179 
120 

251, 504 

396, 395 
16,  917 
22,  405 
31,  022 

1,910 

10,707 
329 

0) 

98 

95,529 

Lumber: 

308,  793 

9,870 

(') 

25, 387 

i  Mostly  reexports  from  Chile. 


MINING  MACHINERY. 


Mining  machinery  forms  one  of  the  most  important  lines  of  trade 
in  Bolivia.  The  tendency  to  modernize  the  mining  plants  of  the 
country  and  the  general  expansion  of  the  industry  have  created  a 
strong  demand  for  mining  equipment,  which  must  continue  for  some 
time  to  come.  Several  modern  "ingenios"  or  concentration  plants 
have  been  installed  during  the  past  few  years  or  are  now  in  course  of 
installation.  In  addition  to  equipment  for  concentrating  and  reduc- 
tion plants,  there  is  a  demand  for  ore  cars  and  tracks,  "  andariveles  " 
or  cableways,  belt  conveyors,  pumps  for  draining  mines,  drills,  Diesel 
engines,  machine-shop  equipment,  etc.  A  large  part  of  the  mining 
machinery  now  in  use  is  of  American  manufacture,  and  the  trade  is 
well  covered  by  the  La  Paz  and  Oruro  representatives  of  the  leading 
American  houses  in  these  lines.  Increased  investments  of  American 
capital  in  Bolivian  mines,  now  under  wTay  and  in  prospect,  should 
greatly  strengthen  the  position  of  the  United  States  in  this  market. 
The  British  mine  companies  are  disposed  to  buy  in  England,  and 
German  houses  were  trying  to  reenter  the  field  before  the  end  of 
1920.  This  market  is  described  in  Special  Agents  Series  No.  118,  by 
J.  S.  Massel,  entitled  "Markets  for  Machine  Tools  in  Peru,  Bolivia, 
and  Chile,"  price  10  cents.  However,  this  report  was  prepared  in 
1915,  since  which  time  there  have  been  very  important  developments 
in  this  field. 

Imports  of  mining  machinery  proper  for  the  years  1914-1918  were 
as  follows:  1914,  412,727  bolivianos;  1915,  212,680  bolivianos;  1916, 
366,974  bolivianos;  1917,  1,040,819  bolivianos;  1918,  1,033,260  bo- 
livianos. The  value  of  imports  from  the  United  States  in  1918 
amounted  to  706,825  bolivianos  and  those  from  Chile  to  129,884  bo- 
livianos, the  latter  consisting  of  reexported  merchandise. 


ELECTRICAL  GOODS. 


Persons  especially  interested  in  the  market  for  electrical  goods 
should  consult  Special  Agents  Series  No.  167,  prepared  by  Philip  S. 
Smith  and  entitled  "Markets  for  Electrical  Goods  in  Bolivia  and 
Chile,"  price  20  cents.  There  are  electric  power  plants  in  all  the 
leading  cities  of  the  Bolivian  plateau,  furnishing  current  for  light  and 
power  purposes.  The  only  cities  with  tramway  service  are  La  Paz 
and  Cochabamba.     La  Paz,  Cochabamba,  Oruro,  Potosi,  and  Sucre 


232         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    AXD    INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

are  equipped  with  telephone  systems.  More  information  regarding 
tlic  power  companies  in  these  cities  will  be  found  in  other  parts  of 
this  handbook.  in  some  [daces,  as  in  La  Paz,  the  power  company 
also  sells  electrical  goods,  such  as  lamps  and  heaters.  There  is  a 
Large  field  in  Bolivia  lor  the  extension  of  the  use  of  electrical  heating 
appliances.  The  Large  mining  eamps,  such,  as  Uneia,  Llallagua, 
Corocoro,  and  Pulacayo  have  their  own  power  installations.  Then- 
are  great  possibilities  for  the  further  development  of  the  hydroelectric 
industry  in  Bolivia,  and  an  elaborate  survey  has  been  made  by  an 
American  company  with  a  view  to  the  utilization  of  the  large  supply 
of  water  power  on  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Bolivian  Andes.  The 
section  of  the  Guaqui-La  Paz  Railway  from  the  "alto''  above  La 
Paz  down  into  the  city  has  been  electrified,  studies  have  been  made 
for  the  same  purpose  by  the  Yungas  Railway,  and  the  electrification 
of  most  of  the  railway  system  of  the  country  has  been  seriously  dis- 
cussed. Though  the  United  States  now  holds  first  place  in  the  market 
for  electrical  goods,  German  houses  are  strongly  represented  in  this 
field. 

The  total  value  of  goods  imported  in  1918  for  lighting  and  power 
purposes  was  294,708  bolivianos.  Of  this,  117,155  bolivianos  repre- 
sented direct  importations  of  American  goods,  65,142  bolivianos  of 
reexported  goods  is  credited  to  Chile,  and  imports  from  France  and 
Great  Britain  amounted  to  36,057  and  34,982  bolivianos,  respectively. 
Imports  of  telegraph  equipment  amounted  to  92,594  bolivianos — 
53,863  bolivianos  of  this  coming  from  the  United  States. 

MOTOR  VEHICLES. 

The  market  for  motor  vehicles  is  covered  in  Commerce  Reports  for 
June  26,  1920,  under  the  title  of  "Bolivia  and  Ecuador  as  Auto- 
mobile Markets." 

FOODSTUFFS  AND  GROCERIES. 

The  prevailing  low  standard  of  living  and  small  buying  capacity 
of  the  average  Bolivian  is  the  most  important  factor  in  deciding  the 
value  of  this  market.  Only  a  small  minority  are  able  to  buy  foreign 
prepared  foodstuffs,  though  the  consumption  of  such  bulky  com- 
modities as  rice,  flour,  and  sugar  is  very  considerable.  Ho  ever, 
an  increasing  tendency  is  evident  among  the  "cholo"  class  to  buy 
imported  foods,  such  as  canned  goods.  The  Indians  Live  on  the 
products  of  their  own  harvests.  The  plateau  region  is  not  self- 
sufficient,  and  large  quantities  of  such  staples  as  rice.  Hour,  and 
sugar  are  imported.  For  example,  foreign  flour  in  large  (plant it ies 
is  brought  into  Cochabamba,  the  center  of  an  important  cereal- 
growing  region.    The  vast    agricultural   region   of  eastern    Bolivia 

is   too  far  from   the   plateau    market    to  supply  it    in   any  quantities. 

Fresh  fruits  are  obi ainable  for  most  of  t  he  year,  being  largely  brought 
up  from  the  semitropical  or  tropical  valleys  on  the  eastern  slopes  of 
I  he  mountains,  so  the  market  for  canned  or  dried  fruits  is  small. 
However,  American  canned  goods  (especially  canned  salmon)  are 
found  for  sale  in  nearly  every  village  in  Bolivia. 

There  aii-  at  leasl  two  high-class  groceries  in  La  Pa/,  and  some  good 
stores  of  the  same  kind  in  Oruro  and  Cochabamba.  The  Jugo-Slavs 
control   the  retail  grocery   business  in  Oruro  and   Potosi  and  are  in- 


TRADE. 


233 


creasingly  prominent  in  Cochabaniba,  Sucre,  and  Uyuni.  There 
are  numerous  small  "  pulperias"  or  shops  in  every  town,  where  a 
small*  stock  of  groceries  and  drinks  are  kept  for  sale,  usually  by 
women  of  the  cholo  class. 

Among  imports  of  some  of  the  staple  lines  of  foodstuffs  in  1918  were 
the  following; ; 


Articles  and  countries  of 
origin. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Articles  and  countries  of 
origin. 

Kilos. 

Bolivianos. 

Sugar:  ' 
Total. 

8,150,901 

7,742,963 

172, 770 

4,397,758 

1,485,143 

953, 128 

929, 403 

442, 104 

18,163,349 

13,806,775 

2,229,767 

1,768,797 

353,373 

181,191 
87,340 
66, 063 
22, 728 

817, 472 
643, 497 

2,445,970 

2,323,588 

51,831 

615,686 
207, 920 
133, 437 
130,116 
61,894 

2,906,135 

2,209,084 

356, 762 

283,007 

106,138 
54,357 
26,328 
33, 031 
6,818 

245, 241 
193,049 

Prepared  meats  * 

31,374 

209, 938 
150, 388 

190, 703 
80, 500 
71, 732 

405, 590 

33,758 
12,219 
8,854 

127,771 
86,543 
16,060 

52, 761 
23,213 
18, 836 

29, 564 

Canned  fish  and  shellfish: 
Total 

167, 950 

Rice: 

Total                     .   . 

United  States 

Tea: 

Total 

127,510 

95, 351 

Chile . . . 

United  States 

40,250 

Coffee 5 . . . 

72,585 

Spices 6 

203, 175 

Flour:  2 
Total 

Canned  vegetables: 

Total 

27,007 

Chile 

Chile 

United  States 

9,775 

7,083 

Dried  fruits: 
Total 

37,742 

Total 

Chile 

19, 409 

United  States 

Canned  orpreservedfruits: 
Total 

8,703 

Butter3 

87,462 

United  States 

39,612 

Chile 

31,131 

Total 

United  States 

1  During  1917  11,998,752  kilos  of  sugar  were  imported,  and  during  1919  9,103,379  kilos. 

2  During  1917  imports  of  flour  amounted  to  23,756,653  kilos  and  during  1919  to  16,719,7.83  kilos.    During 
1918  322  metric  tons  of  wheat  were  imported,  largely  from  Chile. 

3  Peru,  Argentina,  Denmark,  and  Brazil  are  the  principal  suppliers  of  butter  to  Bolivia,  in  the  order 
named. 

<  Mostly  from  Chile  and  Brazil. 

5  Largely  from  Brazil. 

6  More  than  half  of  these  consist  of  the  "aji"  pepper  of  the  neighboring  countries. 

TEXTILES. 

The  textile  market  is  described  in  detail  in  Special  Agents  Series 
No.  158,  prepared  by  W.  A.  Tucker  and  entitled  "Textile  Markets 
of  Bolivia,  Ecuador,  and  Peru,"  price  15  cents.  Bolivia  offers  a 
good  market  for  certain  grades  of  both  woolens  and  cottons.  Be- 
cause of  the  cool  climate  of  the  plateau  the  whites  and  better- 
class  "cholos"  wear  woolen  clothing  throughout  the  year.  The 
women  of  the  "cholo"  class  and  some  of  the  Indian  women  wear 
skirts  (several  of  them  being  often  superimposed)  which  are  made  of 
bright-colored  baize,  or  "bayeta,"  as  it  is  locally  known.  Most  of 
this  demand  is  met  by  imports  from  Great  Britain.  The  Indian 
women  weave  a  large  number  of  rough  woolen  garments  for  their 
own  use,  and  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  "cholos"  wear  suits 
made  of  native  weaves.  Some  of  these  brownish-gray  patterns  arc 
not  unattractive,  and  the  writer  has  seen  suits  made  of  this  homespun 
cloth  worn  by  women  of  the  more  well-to-do  class  in  La  Paz.  How- 
ever, the  production  of  these  woolens  has  not  been  organized  on  an 
industrial  scale. 

There  is  a  large  demand  among  the  Indian  and  "cholo"  classes  in 
Bolivia  for  the  gray  and  white  cotton  sheetings  known  locally  as 
"  tocuyos."     At  present  the  United  States  supplies  the  larger  part 


234 


BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 


of  these  goods,  hut  Peru  has  entered  the  market  and  is  a  potential 
competitor  of  importance.  The  white-goods  trade  was  largely 
British  before  L917,  though  the  Germans  held  a  strong  position  in 
other  lines,  especially  in  cheap  llanelettes  and  cassinettes.  There 
are  fair  imports  of  ginghams,  percales,  drills,  corduroys,  and  tickings 
from  the  United  States.  The  market  for  silks  in  Bolivia  is  very 
small,  as  their  price  places  them  out  of  reach  of  all  hut  a  small  part 
of  the  buying  population. 

Imports  oi  the  principal  textiles  in  1918  were  as  follow-: 


Articles  anil  countries  of 

origin. 

Kilns. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Articles  and  countries  of 

origin. 

Kilos. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Woolens: 

■■  Bayeta" — 

Total 

6.5,911', 

62,294 

6,015 

2. 510 

239,688 
48, 448 
40, 439 
(0,289 

244, 142 

222, 978 

10,244 

686,896 
427,580 
142,684 

173,225 

163,808 
19,  .567 
9,239 

299,323 
60,589 
47,015 
54,696 

306,  111 
27s,  956 
13, 751 

6SC,,S!IS 

127,580 

142,684 

Cotton— Continued. 
Other  cottons- 
Total 

175,005 
245,519 

7,802 
5,090 

1,210 
761 

168, 190 
116,008 
20,679 

233,36.5 
140,529 

36. 7 19 

1  381  486 

Great  Britain 

74ti  2-Vi 

United  states.... 

302  115 

Wool  mixed  with  cotton... 
Cotton : 

Suitings  ("cassinettes")— 

With  silk  mixture — 

Total 

Great  Britain..     . 

50,470 
31   L67 

Total : 

Silks: 

Spain 

I  ■  028 

Silk  mixed  with  cotton .. . . 
Cassimeres: 

Total 

•_':s  7.".:! 

Italy 

B  I  ea  en  cd    ("g  e  ne  r  o 

103,875 

bianco") — 

C.reit  Britain 

262  687 

Total 

.">!  ,082 

Cloth    for    making    women's 

clothing,  exclusive  of  silk: 

Total . .                 ... 

i  'nbleached  ("tocuyos' ') 

615  506 

Total 

358,456 
116,511 

i  oited  States 

United  states 

READY-MADE  WEARING  APPAREL. 


This  market  is  covered  with  great  thoroughness  in  Miscellaneous 
Series  No.  69,  prepared  by  former  Commercial  Attache  W.  A.  Monta- 
von  and  entitled  " :  Wearing  Apparel  in  Bolivia,"  price  10  cents.  This 
field  can  he  roughly  divided  into  three  classes  of  demand,  depending  on 
whether  the  consumer  is  white,  "cholo,"  or  Indian,  though  there  is  a 
tendency  among  the  two  lower  classes  to  imitate  the  clothing  of  the 
class  immediately  above  it.  The  demand  among  the  white  minority 
of  the  population  is  similar  to  thai  prevailing  among  the  same  class 
throughout  South  America.  This  element  of  the  people  dresses  well, 
and  with  a  strict  regard  for  the  dictates  of  fashion,  though  in  some 
respects  the  styles  it  follows  differ  from  those  in  vogue  in  the  United 
States.     There  is  little  color  in  the  clothing  of  this  class,  whereas  the 

§arb  of  the  Bolivian  Indians  is  probably  the  most  highly  colored  in 
on  f  li  America.  The  Indian  market  has  been  .almost  entirely  ignored 
by  foreigners,  except  hy  the  Germans  in  the  matter  of  ponchos.  Tn 
view  of  the  limited  demand  .and  small  spending  capacity  of  the 
Indian  class  this  field  offers  little  to  the  exporter  of  wearing  apparel 
of  whatever  kind.  Though  the  same  condition  is  largely  true  of  the 
lower  si  rata  of  the  ''  cholo  "  masses,  whose  social  status  approximates 

closely  to  thai  of  the 'Indian,  the  higher-class  cholos  are  constantly 

taking  a  larger  amount  of  foreign-made  wearing  apparel. 

Mosl  of  the  men's  suits  are  tailor-made  in  local  shops,  and  l\'\v 
ready-made  suits  are  imported.  Leather  suits,  of  good  quality  and 
suitable  for  wear  in  the  mining  camps,  are  made  by  a  La  Paz  firm. 


TRADE. 


235 


Some  custom-made  shirts  are  sold,  but  several  lines  of  American 
makes  of  shirts  and  collars  are  carried  by  the  haberdashery  shops 
and  have  an  increasingly  good  sale.  There  is  little  demand  for  light- 
weight underwear,  and  medium  and  heavy  weight  grades  are  worn  all 
the  year.  The  trade  is  not  yet  accustomed  to  the  union  suit  and 
prefers  the  two-piece  arrangement  of  underclothing.  There  is  a  good 
demand  for  overcoats,  which  are  mostly  tailored  locally.  Both  felt 
and  straw  hats  find  a  good  sale,  and  it  is  common  in  La  Paz  to  see  a 
man  wearing  an  overcoat  and  a  straw  hat  at  the  same  time.  Italian 
felt  hats  hold  a  strong  position,  but  English-made  hats  are  sold  in  fair 
quantities.  American  suspenders  and  hose  supporters  have  little 
competition,  and  American  socks  are  beginning  to  have  a  good  sale. 
There  are  some  very  good  haberdasheries  in  La  Paz  and  one  or  two 
attractive  stores  in  Oruro  and  Cochabamba. 

The  market  for  ready-made  garments  for  women  is  better  developed 
in  Bolivia  than  in  the  case  of  men's  clothing.  There  are  few  local 
"modistas"  or  dressmakers  able  to  compete  with  the  foreign-made 
products.  A  good  class  of  women's  clothing  is  being  ordered  in  increas- 
ing quantities  from  New  York  and  Paris.  This  applies,  however,  only 
to  the  more  well-to-do  class  of  white  women,  and  to  a  lesser  extent 
to  the  ''  cholas,"  who  have  begun  to  buy  even  fancy  imported  lingerie. 
Here,  as  in  many  other  fields,  the  cholo  trade  is  decidedly  worthy  of 
cultivation  by  foreign  exporters.  Good  stocks  of  women's  wearing 
apparel  are  kept  in  several  La  Paz  stores,  and  lower-grade  garments 
are  sold  in  large  quantities  by  the  numerous  shops  on  Calle  Diez 
de  Medina,  as  well  as  in  other  cities  of  the  plateau.  American 
hosiery,  corsets,  underwear,  lingerie,  shirt  waists,  and  suits  are  well 
represented,  in  spite  of  the  strong  British  and  French  competition 
in  this  market. 

Some  of  the  most  important  imports  of  wearing  apparel  in  1918 
were  as  follows : 


Articles  and  countries  of  origin. 


Men's  felt  hats: 

Total 

Italy 

Great  Britain 

Argentina 

France 

United  States 

Straw  hats  of  all  kinds: 

Total 

Great  Britain 

Peru 

Italy 

Trimmed  hats  for  women 

Total 

Argentina 

France 

United  States 

Men's  shirts: 

Total 

United  States 

Men's  outer  garments: 

Total 

United  States 


Bolivianos. 


349,411 
158, 167 
97,315 
56, 308 
16, 3S1 
7,558 

144, 675 
36,  734 
76, 422 
10,585 

42,020 
9,766 

17, 756 
5,540 

25,648 
9,630 

37, 432 
9,637 


Articles  and  countries  of  origin. 


Neckties: 

Total 

Great  Britain 

United  States 

Miscellaneous  men's  furnishings. 
Women's  dresses  ("vestidos"): 

Total 

Argentina 

Spain 

France 

United  States 

Knit  goods: 

Total 

United  States 

Lingerie: 

Total 

Great  Britain 

United  States 


Bolivianos. 


29,584 
9,152 
7,105 


398,  585 
132,  766 
68,098 
93,221 
61, 174 

137, 746 
56,802 

280,  335 
97,  914 
58,  176 


BOOTS  AND  SHOES. 


About  half  of  the  population  of  Bolivia  buys  no  footwear  at  all, 
beyond  the  cheapest  kind  of  sandals.  The  market  for  foreign-made 
shoes  is  limited  to  the  whites,  who  constitute  only  about  15  per  cent 


230         BOLIVIA  :    A    COMMERCIAL   AND    I XIU  STK1 AL    HANDBOOK. 


of  the  population,  and  to  the  foreign  colonics.  The  majority  of  those 
QOW  buy  shoes  made  in  the  La  Pax  and  ( >ruro  factories  of  Xamora  and 
Garcia.  In  fact,  it  is  inevitable  that  with  the  further  development 
of  the  native  Bhoe-manufacturing  industry  the  field  for  the  sale  of 
foreign  footwear  in  Bolivia  must  decrease  to  small  proportions. 
The  cholo  demand  is  supplied  almost  entirely  by  domestic  manufac- 
tured shoes.  The  cholas,  or  women  of  this  class,  wear  a  peculiar  type 
of  shoe  made  only  in  the  country.  These  are  boots  about  12  inches 
high,  generally  made  of  colored  leathers,  with  double  rows  of  large 
buttons,  and  with  buckles  and  tassels  for  additional  adornment. 
The  market  for  footwear  is  covered  by  Special  Agents  Series  No.  1 71 . 
prepared  by  11.  G.  Brock  and  entitled  "Market  for  Boots  and  Shoes 
in  Chile  and  Bolivia,"  price  25  cents. 

Imports  of  shoes  in  1918  Mere  as  follows: 


Articles  and  countries  of  origin.    Kilos. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Articles  and  countries  of  origin. 

Kilos. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Fine  shoes  ("calzado  lino"  i: 

Total 1,843 

29,575 

7,996 
9,  150 

1  i.i.  725 
67,090 
10  636 

4,043 
1,520 

1,445 

Shoes  made  of  leather  and  silk: 
Total 

595 
272 

13,067 
7,752 

4,239 

.".  603 

United  States l ,  493 

2  .Vi7 

Patent-leather  shoes: 

Total 16,339 

Leather  for  use  in  manufacture 
of  shoes: 

Tola] 

62,484 
31    los 

United  Slates 7,396 

Argentina i.(k;i 

26,846 

Gun-meial  shoos  ("calzado  de 
munii'ii'n''): 

Total 1,210 

Argentina 129 

I" ni ted  States i    -     300 

DRUGS  AND  CHEMICALS. 


The  market  for  industrial  chemicals  is  largely  limited  to  the 
mining  companies,  the  match  factory, , and  the  small  producers  of 
soap.  The  market  for  prepared  and  proprietary  medicines  is  small. 
For  persons  with  the  living  facilities  of  the  white  population  the 
climate  of  the  plateau  is  not  unhealthful,  and  the  Indians,  whose 
habits  are  very  unhygienic,  are  unable  to  buy  any  imported  medi- 
cines. However,  there  is  a  good  demand  on  the  plateau  for  such 
standard  remedies  as  aspirin,  and  in  the  tropical  plains  region  For 
sulphate  of  quinine.  There  are  well-equipped  drug  stores  in  all 
the  leading  cities,  one  in  Oruro  being  especially  noteworthy.  One 
of  the  largest  general  importing  houses  sells  its  own  proprietary  line 
over  a  wide  territory,  and  probably  the  largest  exclusive  importer 
of  drugs  and  chemicals  in  the  country  is  a  German.  The  "Asistencia 
Publica"  or  Public  Health  Service  maintains  its  own  dispensaries 
for  distributing  medicine  to  the  poor.  There  is  a  large  Government 
hospital  at  Miraflores  in  La  Paz,  and  an  American  hospital  is  being 
installed  in  thai  city. 

In  the  Governmenl  statistics,  imports  of  drugs  and  chemicals  are 
not   classified,  such  imports  for   L918  being  given  as  follows: 


TRADE. 


237 


Articles  and  countries  of  origin. 

Kilos. 

Bolr\  ianos. 

Chemical  products: 

Total . . : 

569,355 
219,017 
212, 196 

69,458 
35, 305 

361,132 

SI, 1177 

Chile          

223,261 

Prepared  medicines: 

Total 

135,874 

70, 349 

PAPER  AND  STATIONERY. 


This  market  is  covered  full}^  in  Special  Agents  Series  No.  143, 
prepared  by  R.  S.  Barrett  and  entitled  "Paper,  Paper  Products,  and 
Printing  Machinery  in  Peru,  Bolivia,  and  Ecuador,"  price  10  cents. 
Imports  of  newsprint  go  to  supply  the  needs  of  a  considerable 
number  of  small  newspapers,  whose  circulation  is  generally  from 
1,000  to  5,000.  Weekly  periodicals  are  few'  and  of  small  size  and 
circulation.  Nearly  all  the  book  paper  is  taken  by  two  La  Paz 
publishing  houses,  which  are  also  large  dealers  in  general  stationery. 
Most  of  the  work  done  by  the  job  printers  is  for  the  order  of  the 
railway  offices,  banks,  government  offices,  mining  companies,  and 
the  larger  mercantile  establishments.  A  comparatively  low  grade 
of  stationery  is  used  in  the  schools,  and  until  recently  the  social 
stationery  was  of  uniformly  poor  quality,  but  a  display  of  high-class 
American  goods  was  shown  in  the  windows  of  the  largest  La  Paz 
store  in  July,  1920.  In  estimating  the  value  of  the  Bolivian  paper 
market,  one  must  take  into  account  the  high  proportion  of  illiteracy, 
due  to  the  large  Indian  population,  and  the  low  average  buying 
power  of  the  people.  The  market  for  wrapping  paper  is  negligible, 
as  goods  are  generally  carried  home  from  the  store  in  a  basket  by  a 
servant. 

Imports  of  different  classes  of  paper,  stationery,  and  office  sup- 
plies in  1918  were  as  follows: 


Articles  and  countries  of  origin. 

Kilos. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Articles  and  countries  of  origin. 

Kilos. 

Bolivi- 
anos. 

Newsprint: 

Total 

155, 2S0 
141,203 

147,300 
84,621 

389,639 

2.56,595 

46, 839 

22,772 

62, 745 
40,682 

77,634 
70, 596 

118,967 
51,086 

165,588 
84,446 

22,940 
11,952 

57,880 
35, 104 

Cardboard: 

Total 

55, 556 
48, 526 

13,402 
5,916 

50,096 
21,324 

42,839 
39, 508 

16,439 
10,389 
3,778 

10,711 

United  States 

8,890 

Office  stationery: 

Total 

Manufactures  of  cardboard: 

Total 

18, 813 

United  States 

Chile 

8,311 

Paper  for  other  uses: 

Total 

Office  supplies: 

Total 

58, 859 

41,121 

Wall  paper: 

Total 

Typewriters: 

Total 

10,444 

Great  Britain 

9,53S 

Manufactures  of  paper: 

Total 

Printing  presses: 

Total     

17,656 

United  States 

6, 296 

6,509 

238         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 


FURNITURE. 


This  field  is  described  in  Special  Agents  Scries  No.  170,  prepared 
by  Jl.  E.  Everley  and  entitled  "Furniture  Markets  of  Chile.  Peru. 
Bolivia,  and  Ecuador,"  price  25  cents.  The  market  for  foreign- 
made  furniture  in  Bolivia  is  very  limited.  Most  of  the  demand  is 
supplied  by  locally  made  furniture,  which  is  turned  out  in  carpenter 
shops,  employing  only  a  few  men  each  and  equipped  with  no  special 
cabinetmalring  tools.  However,  the  workmanship  is  good,  when  the 
facilities  at  hand  are  considered,  and  the  price  is  less  than  for  similar 
foreign  products.  Before  the  war  Germany  held  first  place  in 
exports  of  furniture  to  Bolivia,  especially  of  chairs,  but  most  of  the 
liner  home  furniture  came  from  France,  England,  and  Italy.  A 
gaudy-appearing  style,  known  as  "Vienna"  furniture,  had  a  con- 
siderable demand.  The  more  well-to-do  Bolivian  classes,  who  are 
the  only  ones  able  to  buy  foreign  furniture,  generally  demand  ornate 
period  sets  for  their  homes.  Most  of  the  office  and  school  furniture 
comes  from  the  United  States,  but  the  market  is  small. 

Imports  of  furniture  in  1918  were  as  follows: 


Classes  and  countries  of  origin. 


Kilos. 


Ordinary:  _,  ,,, 

Total '  '•  ■ "' 

United  States 60, 029 

FilU';  -Jl     -1Q 

Total 31,519 

Argentina '••'•' 

0 1  died  si  at es *>  SO2 

"Vienna": 

Total "•'" 

Spain l"."sl 

Tapestried:  a 

Total .       9.700 

Italy 

United  States ;;-iu' 

Other  classes -• ' ls  ' 


Bolivianos. 


30, 315 

39,067 
is.  155 
8,094 

10,410 
8,064 

1,  SV2 
I,  (U0 


JEWELRY. 

The  Bolivian  market  for  jewelry  is  discussed  in  Special  Agents 
Series  No.  L86,  prepared  by  S.  W.  Rosenthal  and  entitled  "Jewelry 
and  Silverware  in  Chile,  Bolivia,  and  Peru,"  price  10  cents.  The 
demand  for  cheap  and  showy  jewelry  is  large  in  Bolivia  among  the 
class  of  "ehola"  women,  who  are  much  given  to  display.  However, 
only'  a  small  percentage  of  the  people  are  able  to  buy  high-grade 
jewelry. 

Imports  in  L918  were  as  follows: 


Hi   Ii.t  grades  of  jewelry  ' 

i, own  grades  of  jewelry: 

Total 

United  States 

i  parts: 

"  ••- 



I  1 1  states 

1  Largest  single  imports  credited  to  Argentina. 


TRADE. 
OTHER  CLASSES  OF  GOODS. 

Imports  of  other  classes  of  goods  in  1918  were  as  follows: 


239 


Articles  and  countries  of 
origin. 


Coal  and  oils: 
Coal- 
Total 

Chile 

Great  Britain 

Gasoline — 

Total 

United  States 

Kerosene — 

Total 

United  States 

Crude  petroleum — 

Total 

Chile 

United  States 

Paraffin  and  stearin — 

Total 

United  States 

Other  oils,  mineral — 

Total 

United  States 

Explosives   (largely  dyna- 
mite for  mines): 

Total 

United  States 

Leather  goods: 

*  Total 

United  States 

Musical  instruments  (largely 
phonographs): 

Total 

United  States 

Paints  and  varnishes: 

Total 

LTnited  States 


Kilos. 


36,121,372 
29,123,288 
6, 488, 397 

940,425 
622, 712 

1,939,173 
943,440 

7,233,393 
4,895,159 
2,317,367 

1,341,115 
1,272,381 

1,765,421 
1,212,169 


1,128,075 
766,974 


287,991 
183,195 


Bolivi- 
anos. 


2,621,126 

2, 100, 502 

484,292 

75,233 
49, 816 

155, 133 
75,475 

578,671 
391,612 
185,389 

344,191 
326,005 

269,610 
178,571 


1,378,140 
1,123,090 


39,088 
6,805 


186,436 
169, 169 

183,195 
86,167 


Articles  and  countries  of 
origin. 


Perfumery  and  cosmetics: 

Total". 

United  States 

Photographic  and  motion- 
picture  supplies 

Porcelain  ware: 

Total 

Japan 

Railway  cars: 

Total 

United  States 

Sacks  for  ore: 

Total 

Great  Britain 

Sewing  machines: 

Total 

United  States 

Soaps : 

Laundry — 

Total 

Great  Britain 

Toilet- 
Total 

United  States 

other  grades- 
Total 

United  States 

Toys: 

'Total 

United  States 

Japan 

Steam  engines: 

Total 

United  States 


Kilos. 


25,647 
9,223 


23,581 
13,444 

358, 214 
183,620 

1,121,164 
514,085 

84,560 
71,187 


424,429 
263, 352 

22,673 
15,735 

3,730 
1,865 

17,830 
6,182 
4,334 

472, 234 
193,918 


Bolivi- 
anos. 


112,075 
37, 13(1 

36, 689 

12,567 
7,324 

280, 737 
154, 366 

168,166 
77,106 

42,280 
35,593 


211,938 
131,399 

33,767 
24,088 

2,608 
1,305 

24,300 
9,438 
4,606 

526, 135 
280,562 


INVESTMENTS. 

Some  of  the  factors  affecting  investments  in  Bolivia  have  already 
been  considered  in  other  parts  of  this  handbook.  It  may  be  added 
that  the  attitude  of  the  Government  and  of  the  responsible  element 
of  the  population. is  highly  favorable  to  the  introduction  of  foreign 
capital  for  the  internal  development  of  the  resources  of  the  country. 
While  there  is  no  discrimination  against  any  particular  nationality. 
opinion  has  been  especially  favorable  in  late  years  to  American  enter- 
prises. In  fact,  in  no  country  in  South  America  are  the  people  more 
sincerely  friendly  to  Americans  than  in  Bolivia.  Those  interests 
that  leave  a  reasonable  return  in  the  country  may  expect  fair  treat- 
ment from  those  in  power,  but  the  attitude  of  the  Government  is 
strongly  opposed  to  any  effort  by  foreigners  to  exploit  the  national 
resources  without  an  adequate  recognition  of  the  public  interest. 

Concessions  for  important  industrial  privileges  or  undertakings 
arc  generally  secured  through  the  National  Congress,  though  the 
President  and  the  Minister  of  Public  Works  and  Industry  have  large 
authority  in  such  matters.  It  may  also  be  necessar}T— or  at  least 
advisable — to  deal  with  the  prefect  of  the  department  in  which  the 
enterprise  in  question  is  to  be  located.  Negotiations  for  concessions 
arc  liable  to  be  long  drawn  out,  and  they  demand  a  man  with  real 
diplomatic  skill  and  patience.  However,  any  attempt  to  influence 
a  favorable  decision  by  a  too  direct  appeal  to  the  self-interest  of  those 
in  authority  may  defeat  the  whole  purpose  of  the  negotiations.  It 
is,  moreover,  necessary  to  engage  a  responsible  lawyer  who  is  familiar 
with  the  law  of  corporations  in  his  country — preferably  one  who  is 
affiliated  with  the  political  party  in  power. 

BOLIVIAN. 

The  capital  available  within  the  country  in  Bolivian  hands  is  far 
from  sufficient  for  the  task  of  developing  the  national  resources. 
As  in  most  of  South  America,  the  native  Bolivian  has  not  been  in- 
clined to  initiate  large  industrial  undertakings.  The  high  rate  of 
interest  in  the  country  also  generally  deters  the  Bolivian  from  put- 
ting his  money  into  stocks  and  bonds,  unless  a  high  return  on  his 
investment  is  fairly  certain,  lie  usually  prefers  to  invest  in  banks, 
which  satisfy  his  conservative  desire  for  security,  or  in  real  estate, 
both  town  and  country.  However,  then1  have  been  many  marked 
exceptions  to  this  rule.  Among  these  have  been  Sefiors  Patino, 
Avi'lino  Aramayo,  Taborga,  and  Mendieta  in  mining,  and  the  Snare/ 
brothers  and  Sefiors   Vaea    Die/,  Goytia,   Lavadenx,   and  Xamora  in 

other  lines  of  activity.  Moreover,  an  increasing  share  of  stock  in 
mining  companies  operating  in  Bolivia,  though  organized  elsewhere, 
is  held  by  Bolivians.     An  example  of  this  is  tin1  considerable  block  of 

Oploca   shares   'see   p.  L30)held   in  Sucre.       Also,   the  majority  of  the 

manufacturing  concerns  in  the  country  are  operated  by  Bolivians. 

■i  10 


INVESTMENTS.  241 

AMERICAN. 

American  investments  in  Bolivia  consist  largely  of  mines,  Govern- 
ment loans,  and  oil  lands.  The  mine  holdings  include  those  of  the 
Guggenheims  in  the  Inquisivi  district  and  those  of  the  International 
Mining  Co.  in  the  Yungas  region.  The  Bolivian  bonds  include  those 
of  the  Chandler  loan  of  1917,  amounting  to  $2,400,000.  Two  com- 
panies organized  with  American  capital — Richmond  Levering  &  Co. 
and  the  Argentine-Bolivia  Exploration  &  Development  Co.  (William 
Braden  interests) — hold  large  tracts  of  Bolivian  petroleum  lands  in 
concession. 

BRITISH. 

The  largest  single  British  interest  in  Bolivia  is  the  Bolivia  Rail- 
way and  the  Bolivian  section  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia.  British 
investments  in  mines  include  the  important  Aramayo  Francke  Co., 
the  Penny  &  Duncan  mines  at  Morococala,  the  Anglo-Bolivian  Tin 
Co.,  the  Berenguela  Tin  Mines  (Ltd.),  the  Porco  Tin  Mines  (Ltd.), 
the  Olla  de  Oro  Gold  Mining  Co.,  and  the  Royal  Tin  Mines  of  Potosi, 
Bolivia,  (Ltd.).  British  capital  has  also  been  invested  in  rubber 
lands  in  northeastern  Bolivia,  especially  in  the  properties  of  the 
Anglo-Bolivian  Rubber  Estates  (Ltd.)  and  in  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion 
Boliviana.  British  investments  in  1911  amounted  to  about  £6,000,- 
000,  according  to  the  British  consul  at  La  Paz. 

FRENCH. 

French  investments  in  Bolivia  are  important  and  widely  diversi- 
fied. In  mining  there  is  considerable  French  capital  in  the  Corocoro 
Copper  Mines  (Ltd.)  and  in  the  Compania  Huanchaca  de  Bolivia. 
Though  Luis  Soux  and  the  Bebin  Brothers,  who  hold  the  largest  in- 
terests in  the  Cerro  of  Potosi,  are  of  French  birth,  they  have  been  in 
the  country  so  long  that  their  holdings  have  lost  much  of  their  foreign 
character.  In  spite  of  its  English  name,  the  Bolivian  General  En- 
terprise Co.,  which  controls  most  of  the  public  utilities  of  La  Paz, 
including  the  electric  light  plant,  tramways,  and  telephones,  is  a 
French  concern.  There  are  also  important  French  rubber  and  trading 
interests  in  the  lower  Beni  region,  including  the  firms  of  Braillard 
and  Picollet. 

A  large  part  of  the  stock  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  is  held  in  France. 
Other  French  investments  include  the  loans  of  1910  and  1913, 
amounting  to  £2,560,000. 

GERMAN. 

German  investments  in  Bolivia  are  not  in  proportion  to  the  former 
extent  of  German  trade  with  that  country.  Most  of  the  German 
capital  in  Bolivia  is  invested  in  commercial  businesses  or  in  enter- 
prises controlled  by  these  trading  houses.  In  the  Amazonian  region 
of  the  Beni  and  Santa  Cruz,  these  firms  combine  trade  with  the  ex- 
traction of  rubber,  as  in  the  case  of  Zeller,  Villinger  &  Co.  and  Alfredo 
Barber  &  Co.  In  some  parts  they  are  engaged  in  cattle  raising,  as 
with  Juan  Eisner  &  Co.  and  Staudt  &  Co.  Or  they  are  interested  in 
public  utilities,  as  are  Gustavo  Hinke  &  Co.  in  the  light  and  power 

4441  !2°—  21 10 


242         BOLIVIA:    A    COMMEBCTAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL    HANDBOOK. 

companies  of  Cochabamba  and  Oriiro.  In  a  few  cases  they  have 
embarked  in  mining,  as  Boettiger  &  Trepp  have  at  Araca.  Must 
of  the  breweries  in  the  country  are  German-owned.  The  Banco 
Aleman  Transatlantico,  which  has  branches  in  La  Paz  and  Oruro, 
has  done  much  to  promote  German  investments  in  Bolivia. 

CHILEAN. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  developments  in  Bolivia  within  recent 
years  has  been  the  growth  of  Chilean  investments  in  the  Bolivian 
mines.  The  most  important  of  these  mining  companies,  with  their 
capitalization,   are  as  follows: 

Capital  paid  up. 

Compafifa  Minerade  Oruro 1 320.  000  (Bs.  4,  ooo.  000) 

Compafifa  San  Joe6 &  Atlantana 400,000     .    (5,000,000) 

Empresa  Minora  de  Vinto 40, 000  (500,  000) 

Empresa  Porvenir  de  Huanuni 175, 000         (2, 187,  500) 

Sociedad  Estanifera  de  Totoral 70,  850  i  8*5,  625 

<  oiapafiia  Estanifera  El  Acre 75,  000  (937.  5(  <> 

Compaiiia  Huanchaca  de  Bolivia 1,  600,  000        1 20,  000.  000 ) 

Compafifa  Estanifera  de  Llallagua 425,000  (5,312,  500) 

Compafiia  Oploca  de  Bolivia 168,  000  (2, 100,  000) 

Compafifa  Fortuna  de  Colquiri 50,  000  (625,  000) 

Compafifa  ( 'orocoro  de  Bolivia 400,  000  1 5,  000,  000) 

( Jompanfa  Araca 200,  000  (2,  500,  000) 

Sociedad  Estanifera  de  (  olcha 60,  000  75i  >,  000) 

Compafifa  Minora  de  Monte  Blanco 500,  000  (6,  250,  000) 

Total ■[,  483,  850         (56,  048.  125) 

Although  these  companies  are  organized  in  Chile,  a  large  part  of 
the  capital  invested  in  them  is  not  Chilean. 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  20.— SHOP   FRONT   IN    POTOSI. 


FIG.  21.— CORNER  OF   MARKET   IN  ORURO. 


Special  Agents  Series  No.  208. 


FIG.  22.— BANCO   DE   LA    NACION   BOLIVIANA   IN  ORURO. 


FIG.  23.— BANCO    MERCANTIL   IN    LA   PAZ. 


BANKING  AND  MONEY. 

BANKING  LAW. 

All  national  banks  operating  in  Bolivia  must  invest  20  per  cent  of 
their  capital  in  shares  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion,  though  foreign 
banks  may  place  this  quota  in  national  bonds.  All  banks  are  re- 
quired to  maintain  a  gold  reserve  amounting  to  5  per  cent  of  their 
total  deposits.  National  banks  are  required  to  pay  8  per  cent  of 
their  net  profits  to  the  National  Treasury,  and  foreign  banks  are  re- 
quired to  pay  5  per  cent  of  their  gross  profite.  Private  banking 
houses  must  pay  a  tax  to  the  Government  of  2,000  bolivianos  a  year. 

•  BANKS  OPERATING  IN  BOLIVIA. 

BANCO  DE  LA  NACION  BOLIVIANA. 

This  semigovernmental  bank,  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  Boliviano, 
was  created  by  national  law  of  January  7,  1911,  largely  as  a  protest  of 
La  Paz  interests  against  the  predominance  of  the  Sucre  banks  in  the 
financial  system  of  the  country.  The  original  capital  amounted  to 
15,937,500  bolivianos,  half  of  which  was  subscribed  by  the  Govern- 
ment on  the  basis  of  a  loan  placed  in  Paris.  Most  of  the  remainder 
of  the  stock  was  taken  by  French  interests,  chiefly  by  the  Credit 
Mobilier.  The  bank  later  absorbed  the  Banco  de  Bolivia  y  Londres, 
the  Banco  Agricola,  and  the  Banco  Industrial.  In  the  first  case  the 
Banco  de  la  Nacion  issued  in  exchange  shares  which  are  held  by  the 
Anglo-South  American  Bank.  In  the  other  cases  the  shares  issued 
were  taken  by  Bolivian  interests. 

The  head  office  of  the  bank  is  in  La  Paz,  and  there  are  branches  in 
Cochabamba,  Oruro,  Potosi,  Sucre,  Tarija,  Uyuni,  Santa  Cruz,  Trin- 
idad, and  Riberalta.  The  administration  of  the  bank  was  tempora- 
rily disrupted  by  the  revolution  of  July,  1920,  at  which  time  the 
president  of  the  board  of  directors,  Sr.  Juan  Munoz  Reyes,  and  three 
of  the  directors  were  deported  from  the  country.  Among  the  di- 
rectors who  remained  on  the  board  were  Mr.  Jacob  Backus,  the 
general  manager  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  Railway,  and  Sr. 
Jorge  E.  Zalles,  the  general  manager  of  the  Bolivian  business  of  W. 
R.  Grace  &  Co.  A  committee  in  Paris  represents  the  interests  of  the 
French  shareholders.  A  provision  in  the  statutes  of  the  bank  places 
the  control  of  its  administration  in  the  hands  of  its  private  share- 
holders, who  comprise  a  majority  of  the  directorate.  The  Bolivian 
Government  now  holds  99,341  out  of  a  total  of  151,700  shares,  or 
65.48  per  cent  of  the  stock. 

On  its  creation  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  was  invested  with  the  same 
power  of  note  issue  enjoyed  by  the  two  Sucre  banks  and  the  Banco 
Mercantile  However,  a  movement  for  confining  the  right  of  issue  to 
the  new  bank  culminated  in  a  law  of  1914  which  granted  the  Banco 
de  la  Nacion  the  exclusive  privilege  of  issuing  notes.  The  bank  was 
obliged  to  grant  a  loan  to  the  Government  equal  to  4  per  cent  of  the 

243 


244        BOLIVIA:   A    COMMERCIAL   AXH    [NDUSTEIAL    BANDBOOK. 

amount  of  the  notes  to  be  issued,  and  without  interest.  It  was 
authorized  to  issue  notes  up  to  150  per  cent  of  its  paid-up  capital. 
which  could  be  raised  to  £4.000,000  ($19,466,000).  These  notes 
were  to  be  issued  in  denominations  of  from  5  to  500  bolivianos. 
The  hank  was  required  to  cover  30  per  cent  of  its  notes  in  gold,  and 
after  1918  this  proportion  was  to  be  increased  annually  by  2  per 
rent  until  it  reached  50  per  cent  of  the  bank's  note  issue.  The  other 
three  banks  which  had  had  the  right  of  issue  were  compelled  to  withdraw 
their  notes  from  circulation  by  July  1,  191G,  but  these  banks  were 
later  allowed  a  period  of  !()  years  in  which  to  liquidate  their  out- 
standing note  issues.  On  June  30,  1913,  the  three  banks  had  in  cir- 
culation notes  to  the  value  of  19,942,000  bolivianos,  or  an  equivalent 
of  £1,596,100  ($7,767,421),  while  their  combined  gold  reserves 
amounted  to  only  £1,131,700.  As  a  result,  they  early  began  to  call 
in  their  investments,  and  the  Sucre  banks  curtailed  their  credit,  while 
the  interest  on  short-time  loans  rose  to  12  per  cent  and  on  accounts 
current  to  10  per  cent.  Shares  in  the  Banco  Nacional  and  the 
Banco  Argandona  fell  30  per  cent.  The  situation  created  by  the  law 
has  continued  to  cause  much  bitterness  between  the  interests  repre- 
sented by  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  and  its  rivals,  because  of  the 
advantageous  position  that  the  former  was  enabled  to  take  in  the 
banking  system  of  the  country. 

The  bank  has  lately  established  a  "Caja  de  Ahorros,"  or  savings 
section,  in  connection  with  its  other  business.  The  total  deposits  on 
December  31,  1919,  amounted  to  649.394  bolivianos,  in  1,933  sepa- 
rate accounts.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the  Santa  Cruz  branch 
held  second  place  in  the  list  of  branches,  with  deposits  of  135,656 
bolivianos.  To  encourage  saving  among  children,  the  bank  opens 
an  account  in  its  savings  section  with  an  initial  credit  of  10  bolivianos 
for  the  most  promising  pupils  in  the  public  schools. 

The  statement  of  the  bank's  resources  and  liabilities  at  the  end  of 
1919  was  as  follows: 

Bolivianos. 

( lapital  authorized  I  64,000,000 1   50,  000,  000 

Capital  paid  up  (£1,600,000) 20,000,000 

Reserve  fund  (  6200,000 1 2,  500,  000 

Emergency  fund  (  620,000) 250,  000 

I  tisposable  fund  ( 6160,000) 2,  000, 000 

1  (ividend  fund  ( 624,515) 306,  87 

Notesin  circulation 26,  942,  094 

Deposits 21, 9 16,  396 

Gold L6,  372,  579 

Investments M),  832, 

Credits  abroad 1.7,978,  615 

Total  reserves 5,  056,  437 

\Yt  profit  for  1919 1 .  380,  751 

A  dividend  of  71  per  cent  was  paid  in   1918,  and  one  of  S\  per  cent 

was  declared  in  1919.  The  total  net  profits  for  the  period  from  191 1 
to  dune,  1919,  amounted  to  15,762,250  bolivianos. 

The  Btate  of  the  bank  during  the  period  1911-1919  is  illustrated 
by  the  following  table: 


BANKING    AND    MONFA7. 


245 


Vears, 

Notes  in 
circulation. 

Discounts 

and  over- 
draft s. 

Deposits.           Gold. 

Capital       Net  profits. 

1911 

Bolivianos. 
1,195,385 
2, 577, 527 
6, 543, 254 
13,334,770 
15,890,079 
16,815,593 
20,388,896 
25,984,984 
26, 942, 094 

Bolivianos. 
14,125,639 
21,771,521 
32, 397, 424 
37,751,482 
37, 506, 369 
39, 607,  014 
39,775,854 
39, 959, 093 
40, 832, 364 

Bolivianos. 
2,385,514 
5, 909,  452 
6,952,278 
7,665,816 
12,  773,  654 
14,267,039 
21,907,596 
18,307,692 
21,946,395 

Bolivianos. 

2, 728, 081 
2, 097, 006 
6, 659,  737 
6,591,150 
6, 672, 630 
6,959,260 
7, 105,  862 
18, 188, 882 
16, 372, 579 

Bolivianos. 
15,937,500 
15, 937,  500 
18, 962,  500 
18,962,500 
18, 962,  500 
18, 962, 500 
18,962,-500 
18, 962, 500 
20, 000, 000 

Bolivianos. 
433, 570 

1912.                   

829, 094 

1913 

1,261,462 

1914 

l,r,6.s,si).s 

1915 

1,810,134 

1916                

2,268,238 

1917.   .            

2,858,151 

1918 

3,  068,  790 

1919 

2, 944,  749 

BANCO  NACIONAL  DE  BOLIVIA. 

The  Banco  Nacional  de  Bolivia  is  the  oldest  bank  in  the  country, 
having  been  created  in  accordance  with  a  law  of  August  17,  1871. 
The  head  office  of  the  bank  is  in  Sucre,  where  most  of  the  stock  is 
held.  There  are  branches  in  La  Paz,  Cochabamba,  Oruro,  Potosi, 
Tarija,  Tupiza,  and  Uyuni.  In  1919  the  Banco  Francisco  Argan- 
dona,  of  Sucre,  was  incorporated  in  the  Banco  Nacional.  This  bank 
was  founded  in  1892  and  had  four  branches,  in  addition  to  the  main 
office  in  Sucre.  Of  a  total  of  112,000  shares  of  the  Banco  Nacional, 
27,478  are  now  held  by  the  Argandona  family. 

The  statement  of  the  bank's  capital  and  reserves  on  January  29, 
1920,  was  as  follows: 

Bolivianos. 

Capital  paid  up 11,  200,  000 

Reserve  fund 5,  700,  000 

Emergency  fund 370,  000 

Dividend  fund 361,  226 

Total 17,  631,  226 

At  the  same  time  deposits  amounted  to  17,934,226  bolivianos  and 
the  bank's  stock  of  gold  to  4,418,328  bolivianos.  Net  profits  for  1919 
were  2,085,177  bolivianos.  The  bank  had  paid  a  total  of  19,938,000 
bolivianos  in  dividends  to  the  end  of  1919.  In  1877  a  dividend  of 
16  per  cent  was  paid,  in  1880  one  of  20  per  cent,  and  in  1882  one  of 
24  per  cent.  Since  1S96  annual  dividends  of  10  and  12  per  cent  have 
been  paid,  12  per  cent  being  paid  in  1918  and  1919. 

The  state  of  the  bank  during  the  period  1909-1919  was  as  shown 
by  the  following  table : 


Years. 

Notes  in 
circulation. 

Discounts 
and  over- 
drafts. 

Deposits. 

Gold. 

Capital. 

Net  profits. 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

Bolivianos. 
7,272,781 
8,768,482 
8,629,144 
8,333,540 
8,432,062 
2,995,959 
1,729,866 
3,682,977 
3,970,686 
3, 887, 828 
4, 833, 619 

Bolivianos. 
13,008,768 
15,391,622 
17,059,020 
18, 018, 435 
15,923,181 
13,915,899 
13,298,823 
14,374,678 
13,021,728 
15,642,501 
22,617,734 

Bolivianos. 

.    5,276,171 
7,284,130 
10,109,601 
10,360,085 
8, 160, 349 
9,075,619 
9,339,123 
9,490,659 
12, 510, 049 
12,998,207 
17,934,226 

Bolivianos. 
3,7S7,108 
6,259,037 
6,741,879 
5,383,393 
4, 780, 050 
3,671,612 
3,533,475 
3,526,825 
3,502,912 
3,467,518 
4,418,328 

Bolivianos. 
6,000,000 
6,500,000 
6, 500, 000 
6,500,000 
8,000,000 
8,000,000 
8,000,000 
8,000,000 
8,000,000 
8,000,000 
11,200,000 

Bolivianos. 

847, 915« 

954,230 

1, 067, 822 

1,072  050 

1913 

1,094,742 

1914... 

1,060  823 

1915 

950, 117 

1916 

1,104,946 

1917 

1,108,144 

1918 

1  681  382 

1919. . . . 

2  085  177 

246        BOLIVIA:    A    COMMEBOIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

BANCO  MERCANTIL. 

The  Banco  Mercantil  was  authorized  by  Law  of  December  7,  1905, 

and  was  founded  on  December  I,  L906.  It  is  the  property  of  the 
prominent  Bolivian  mine  owner  and  capitalist,  Sr.  Simon  Patifio, 
and  much  of  its  strength  is  derived  from  the  Large  resources  thai  he 
commands.  A  Large  part  of  the  activities  of  this  bank  are  devoted 
to  financing  the  various  enterprises  in  which  Sr.  Patifio  is  interested. 
The  head  of  lice  of  the  bank  is  in  Oruro.  The  La  Paz  branch  is  the 
best  housed  hank  in  the  city.  There  are  also  branches  in  Cocha- 
bamba,  Potosi,  Sucre,  Tupiza,  Tarija,  and  Antofagasta  (Chile). 

In  1909  the  bank  established  a  mortgage  and  loan  section,  with  a 
capital  of  800,000  bolivianos.  On  December  31,  1919,  the  total 
circulation  of  mortgage  cedulas  amounted  to  634,909  bolivianos. 
The  net  profit  on  this  section  in  1919  was  15,130  .bolivianos. 

The  statement  of  the  bank  on  January  1,  1920,  was  as  follows: 

<  iapital'  Bolivianos. 

Authorized  (£2,000,000) 25,  000,  000 

Paid  up  (£800,000) 10,  000,  000 

Reserve  fund  I  £220,000  i 2,  750,  000 

Emergency  fund  I  £7,600) 95,  000 

Notes  in  circulation 4,065,  514 

Gold  (  £130,062 ) 1 ,  625,  781 

Deposits 6,  572, 921 

Net  profits 401 ,  120 

BANCO  ALEMAN  TRANSATLANTICO. 

This  German  institution,  a  branch  of  the  Deutsche  Uberseeische 
Bank,  is  the  only  foreign  bank  in  Bolivia.  It  has  branches  in  La  Paz 
and  Oruro.  Previous  to  the  war  it  aided  greatly  in  the  financing  of 
German  business  in  Bolivia,  and  is  now  showing  marked  signs  of 
recovery  from  the  effects  of  the  war  and  the  allied  restrictions  on 
German  business  operations. 

The  statemenl  of  the  bank  on  -June  30,  L919,  was  as  follows: 

Bolivianos. 

<  Japital 625, 767 

(  ash  resources 205,  270 

Deposits h  107,  353 

Net  prolii  during  firsl  half  year  of  1919 6,  L68 

A  national  law  of  January  .'!,  191  1.  required  that  all  foreign  banks 
should  bring  into  the  country  a  capital  of  at  least  E50,000,  or  625,000 
bolivianos,  of  which  at  least  20  per  cent  must  he  invested  in  national 
bonds.  At  that  time  the  Bank  fur  Chile  und  Deutschland  and  the 
Anglo-South  American  Bank  maintained  small  branches  in _  Oruro. 
but  did  not  feel  that  the  prospects  of  their  business  justified  increas- 
ing their  capital  to  the  amount  prescribed  by  the  law.  They  accord- 
ingly liquidated  their  business  and  closed  their  branches  in   l'.H  I. 

<  KKDlTo  HLPOTECARIO  DE  BOLIVIA. 

This  is  a  mortgage  bank  and  is  situated  in  La  Paz.  The  hank's 
statement   on   1  )ecem her  31,  1919,  was  as  follows: 

Capital 700,000 

Reserve  fund 200,  000 

Dividend  fund 26,000 

Emergency  guaranty  fund 18, 000 


BANKING  AND   MONEY.  247 

The  not  profits  for  the  last  half  year  of  1919  amounted  to  94,684 
bolivianos.  The  amount  of  mortgage  cedulas  in  circulation  at  the 
end  of  1919  was  8,494,800  bolivianos,  of  which  953,600  bolivianos 
were  selected  for  amortization.  Outstanding  loans  at  that  time 
amounted  to  8,903,318  bolivianos,  covered  by  property  to  the  value 
of  27,565,634  bolivianos.  According  to  law,  mortgage  banks  in 
Bolivia  can  loan  only  up  to  50  per  cent  of  the  value  of  the  property 
mortgaged. 

BANCO  HIPOTECARIO  NACIONAL. 

This  is  also  a  mortgage  bank,  as  its  name  implies.  It  is  located 
in  Cochabamba,  and  its  operations  are  largely  confined  to  that  region. 
The  state  of  the  bank  on  December  31,  1919,  was  as  follows: 

Bolivianos. 

Capital 100,  000 

Mortgage  cedulas  in  circulation 3, 847,  400 

Deposits 2,  441,  897 

Net  profits  for  1919 108,  679 

Funds  for  conversion  of  cedulas 5,  239,  309 

These  cedulas  bear  interest  at  from  7  to  10  per  cent. 

BANCO  GARANTIZADOR  DE  VALORES. 

The  location  of  this  mortgage  and  loan  bank  is  in  Sucre.  Its 
statement  for  June  30,  1919,  was  as  follows: 

Bolivianos. 

Capital 100,  000 

Circulation  of  mortgage  cedulas 3, 109, 100 

Deposits  for  conversion  of  cedulas 452,  790 

Net  profits  for  year 26,  398 

PRIVATE  BANKS. 

Private  banking  in  Bolivia  is  largely  represented  by  the  banking 
departments  of  W.  R.  Grace  &  Co.,  Denniston  &  Co.,  Duncan,  Fox 
&  Co.,  and  Boettiger,  Trepp  &  Co. — all  of  La  Paz,  but  with  branches 
in  other  cities.  These  houses  receive  regular  checking  accounts  and 
do  considerable  foreign  banking.  The  Casa  Bancaria  Gutierrez 
Guerra,  a  private  bank  of  the  former  President  of  Bolivia,  was  de- 
clared bankrupt  in  August,  1920,  following  the  revolution  of  July 
and  the  deportation  of  President  Gutierrez  Guerra.  This  bank  had 
offices  in  La  Paz  and  Oruro,  and  aided  in  financing  the  operations  of 
some  enterprises  in  which  the  former  President  was  interested,  such 
as  the  Sindicato  Industrial  de  Bolivia. 

An  American  bank,  to  be  known  as  the  Pan  American  Bank,  was 
to  be  established  in  La  Paz  in  August,  1920,  but  the  plans  of  the  pro- 
moters of  the  new  institution  were  not  realized  and  the  project  was 
abandoned. 

MONETARY  SYSTEM. 

Since  the  first  of  1909  Bolivia  has  been  on  a  gold  basis.  The  law 
of  December  5,  1908,  which  provided  for  this  change  in  the  monetary 
system,  declared  the  English  pound  sterling  and  the  Peruvian  gold 
pound  legal  tender  within  the  country  at  a  ratio  of  12.50  bolivianos 
to  the  pound.  By  the  same  law,  authorization  was  given  to  coin 
4,000,000  bolivianos  in  silver  in  denominations  of  50  and  20  centavos, 
and  1,000,000  bolivianos  in  nickel  pieces  of  5  and  10  centavos.     The 


248        BOLIVIA!    A    COMMERCIAL   AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

boliviano  is  the  old  silver  dollar  standard  of  425  grains  and  900  fine. 
However,  there  is  now  no  silver  money  in  circulation,  and  the  only 
metallic  currency  in  the  country    consists  of  the  above-mentioned 

nickel  coins  and  copper  coins  of  1  and  2  centavos.  The  bank  notes 
in  circulation  are  in  denominations  of  1,  5,  10,  20,  50,  and  100  Boli- 
via mis.  In  1918  an  additional  1,000,000  bolivianos  in  nickel  coins 
were  struck  oil'  in  England.  Total  issues  of  nickel  to  the  end  of  1917 
amounted  t<>  4,800,000  bolivianos.  However*  it  was  calculated  in 
1920  that  half  of  this  had  disappeared  from  circulation.  During  tin' 
years  1914-1918  exports  of  metallic  currency  amounted  to  2,560,744 
bolivianos  of  gold  and  1,049,181  of  silver,  or  a  total  of  3,7o,.i.,.i_)  I 
bolivianos.  At  the  beginning  of  1920  the  stock  of  gold  in  the  country 
amounted  to  19,306,256  bolivianos,  held  in  the  possession  of  four 
banks.  In  1920  United  States  gold  coins  were  declared  legal  tender 
in  Bolivia. 

The  bank-note  circulation  during  the  period  1914-1918  (Decem- 
ber 31)  was  as  follows:  1914,  21,490,713  bolivianos;  1915,  22,572,750 
bolivianos;  1910,  24,970,767  bolivianos;  1917,  29,170,688  bolivianos; 
1918,  35,149,633  bolivianos. 

EXCHANGE. 

At  par  the  boliviano  is  worth  19^d.  or  $0.3893  United  States  cur- 
rency. In  normal  times  exchange  rates  on  London  and  New  York 
have  been  comparatively  stable,  but  great  fluctuations  were  produced 
by  the  war.  The  exchange  on  London  fell  from  19^d.  in  April,  1914, 
to  15d.  at  the  end  of  the  year.  By  the  end  of  1917  it  was  at  22d. 
but  in  May,  1919,  it  returned  temporarily  almost  to  par.  The  maxi- 
mum and  minimum  quotations  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion  for  90 
days'  sight  on  London  during  the  years  1911-1919  are  shown  in  the 
following  table: 


Years. 

Pence  to  the  boliviano. 

Years. 

Pence  f"  the  boliviano. 

Maximum. 

Minimum. 

Maximum 

Minimum. 

1911 

19| 

191 

is: 

m 

in,' 

19J 
18fi 

IV.. 

15 

15 

1916 

19J 

22 

22 

1912 

1917 

19 

1913 

1918 

1914... 

1919 

1915 

The  efforts  of  the  Government  to  steady  exchange  by  means  i<(  a 
moratorium,  the  prohibition  of  gold  exports,  the  suspension  of  bank- 
note conversion,  and  the  fixing  of  the  rati1  of  exchange  failed  of  their 
desired  effect  beyond  a  certain  point,  and  Bolivian  money  was  left 
to  the  play  of  the  violent  factors  working  at  that  time  on  interna- 
tional business.      The  same  circumstances  operated  to  a  huge1  extent 

on  exchange  relations  between  Bolivian  and  American  money.     The 

course  of  exchange  during   L918  was  as  follows: 


Bolivianos  u> 
tin'  dollar. 

January 2.41    i<>  2.  42 

February 2.40    to  2.  41 

March.. 2.40J  to  2.  45 

April 2.  45 

Ma\ 2.41    to  2.  45 

June 2.40    to  2.  II 


Bolivianos  to 
the  dollar. 

July 2.:;:  to  2. 40 

A.ugus1 2  36  i 

September 2.34  to  2.35 

October 2.34  to  2.45 

November 2.45  to 

December 2.  62  to 


BANKING    AND    MONEY.  249 

Between  March  8  and  March  28,  1919,  sight  rates  on  New  York 
rose  from  2.68  to  2.91.  By  November  exchange  was  at  3,  and  in  De- 
cember it  rose  from  3.10^  to  3.43.  In  January,  1920,  rates  varied 
between  2.95|  and  3.23,  and  in  February  from  2.76  to  2.97.  In  May 
they  again  rose  to  above  3.15,  and  in  June  fluctuated  between  3.02 
and  3.08,  but  after  the  revolution  on  July  12  rose  to  over  3.30,  which 
was  lower,  however,  than  the  rate  prevailing  for  a  few  days  in  Decem- 
ber, 1919.     By  November  dollar  exchange  had  risen  to  3.70. 


PUBLIC  FINANCE. 
NATIONAL  FINANCES. 

BUDGET. 

The  national  budget  drawn  up  for  1920  provided  for  the  following 
appropriations  for  the  different,  departments  of  Government  : 

Bolivianos. 

Legislative 751,  920 

Foreign  relations 1,121,  1 38 

Worship 116,  740 

Government  ( 1  nterior  | 5,  323,  3 13 

Justice 2.  229,  012 

Treasury 23, 541,  358 

Public  instruction 4,645,680 

Agriculture 453,  I  to 

Public  works 3, 044, 080 

Industry 185,  900 

War 11,316,444 

Colonization 782,031 

Total 53,  511.  092 

Revenues  provided  for 49.  470.  475 

Deficit 4,  040,  617 

The  revenues  provided  for  were  classified  as  follows: 

Dominion  of  the  State: 
Territorial — 

Mining  patents 400,  000 

Patents  for  concessions  of  petroleum  lands 200,  000 

Tax  of  \  centavo  per  hectare  on  State  lands 80, 000 

(  Hher 1 95,  000 

Industrial  and  financial — 

Quota  from  <  hilean  C.oAemment  for  railway  guaran- 
ties, according  to  treaty  of  1904  and  protocol  of 

190S '..■ 562,  500 

35  per  cent  of  .the  receipts  of  the  Viacha-<  >ruro  Rail- 
way    656, 250 

25  per  cent  of  the  receipts  of  the  Rio  Mulato-Potosi 

Railway 250,  000 

25  per  cent  of  the  receipts  of  the  Uyuni-Atocha 

Railway ." 1 56,  250 

25  per  cent  of  the  receipts  of  the  Oruro-Cochahaniha 

Railway 150,000 

Interest  on  the  loan  of  1913 200,  000 

Net  profit  from  the  Empresa  Luz  y  Fuerza  Elec- 

trica  de  Cochabamba 100,000 

Merchandise  tax  for  service  on  $2,000,000  American 

loan,  account  of  departmental  treasury  of  La  Paz..  400,  000 

Tax  on  copper  ores,  for  same  purpose L20, 000 

Income  from  Tarejra-Corocoro  branch  of  railway 120,000 

Dividends  on  L04, 308  shares  in  Banco  de  la  Naci6n..  912,675 

Alcohol  monopoly 2,250,  000 

Tobacco  monopoly 800,  000 

<  >ther ' 436,  300 

Total 7,  988,  975 

250 


PUBLIC   FINANCE. 


251 


Public  services :  Bolivianos. 

Legalization  of  consular  invoices 1  850,  000 


Postage  stamps. 

Telegrams 

Stamped  paper 

Transaction  stamps 

Extraordinary  sources. 
Other .' 


360,  000 
600,  000 
380,  000 
220, 000 
400,  000 
514,  500 


To,al 4,  324,  500 


Direct  taxes: 

Tax  on  dividends  of  joint  stock  companies,  other  than 

.  mining  companies 

Tax  on  income  of  joint  stock  companies 

Tax  on  income  of  banks 

Tax  on  income  from  mortgages 

Tax  on  transfers  of  rubber  and  mining  lands 120'  000 

Tax  on  net  profit  of  mining  companies — 

For  fiscal  \  ear  1019 3  000  000 

For  fiscal  year  1920 (j|  ooo'  000 

Revenues  uncollected  from  previous  year '  500  000 

0ther 342!  000 


SO,  000 

30, 000 

550,  000 

100,  000 


Total 10,  722,  000 


Indirect  taxes: 

Import  duties- 6,  985,  000 


Surcharge  on  import  duties. 

Tax  on  national  alcohols  and  brandies 

Tax  on  coca 

Tax  on  merchandise  destined  to  different  Departments. 
Warehousage  and  storage  duties. 


040,  000 
800,  000 
250,  000 
653,  000 
800,  000 


°ther 54.%  000 

Total 11,  071,  000 


Export  taxes: 

Tax  on  minerals — 

Tin 8, 000,  000 

Copper 120,  000 


Silver. 

Bismuth 

Wolfram 

Gold 

Tax  on  rubber 

Export  duty  on  hides 

Export  duty  on  wool 

Statistics  tax  on  exports 

Income  from  "Export  Notes' 

cover  deficit  from  1919 

Other 


("Vales  de  Aduana"),  to 


400, 000 

60,  000 

50,  000 

1,000 

372, 000 

80,  000 

100,  000 

180,000 

6,  000,  000 

1,  000 

Total 15,  364,  000 


Grand  total  revenues  calculated 49,  470,  475 

The  annual  income  of  the  Government  during  the  years  190.4-1913 
was  as  follows : 


Bolivianos. 

1904 6,838,576 

1905 7,854,698 

1906 10,401,512 

1907 13,166,684 

1908 11,  604,  063 


Bolivianos. 

1909 11,847,231 

1910 12, 583,  232 

1911 16,913,512 

1912 20,  164,  602 

1913 22,  018,  874 


252 


BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    A.ND   TXnrSTRTAI.    HANDBOOK. 


The  relation  between  budgets,  revenues,  and  expenses  for  the  period 

MM  I    MUX  is  shown  by  the  following  table: 


Y"ears. 


191 1. 
1915. 
1916. 
1917. 

litis. 


21,554,350 
16,985,800 

1 1.:.;:.. '.'oil 
17,101,042 
32,586,886 


Revenues. 


Bolit  ianos. 
15,840,217 
12,826,  'Til 
15.906,503 

19.104,721 
29,957,540 


Expendi- 
tures. 


Boliviano*. 
17,150,093 
14,791,  li-' 
18,367,  *78 
21,942,  153 


In  1918  various  sources  of  revenue  not  provided  for  in  the  budget 

brought  in  amounts  that  raised  the,  total  income  of  the  Government 
to  52,866,951  bolivianos.  The  budget  of  1919  provided  for  an 
income  of  31,328,787  bolivianos.  In  the  budget  of  that  year  import 
and  export  duties  represented  46.47  per  cent  of  the  total  calculated 
income,  of  which  23.60  per  cent  was  to  be  derived  from  imports  and 
22.87  per  cent  from  exports.  Eight  and  five-tenths  per  cent  of  the 
Government's  revenues  are  obtained  from  the  State  monopolies.  In 
1919,  25.55  per  cent  of  the.  calculated  income  was  destined  to  the 
service  on  the  public  debt. 


NATIONAL  DKHT. 


The  public  debt  of  Bolivia  on  June  30,  1919,  was  as  shown  in  the 
following  table: 

FOREIGN. 


Loans. 


Morgan  loan  of  1909. 
French  loan  of  1910. 

French  loan  of  nun, 
npplementary. 

French  I. .an  of  1913. 
YiiiiRas     Railway 
loan. 


J.  r. Morgan  &  Co.. 
credit     uobilier 

Francais. 
do 


Total. 


....do 

Chandler    a 

New  York. 


Co., 


Inter- 
est. 


P<r  ct. 
6 
5 


\mor- 
t  iza- 

l  inn. 


/'i  ret. 
2 
2^ 

1 
1 


Rate. 


90 


Total 
issue. 


Total 
amor- 
tized to 
Julv  1, 
1919. 


(.'.".IHHKNI      £138,300 

1..  -,110,0110       168,920 
160,000        51,000 


1,000,000 
90       500,000 


66,160 


Total  in 
circula- 

t  ion  on 
July  l, 

1919. 


Yield  in 
bolivi- 
anos. 


6361,700    1,521,254 

i.     i  ,. 

'.UKW       112,500 

938,84011,673,000 
179,082  ■">.'- 


3,560,000       145,298    -..li  i. 


INTERN  \  I. 


Securitii   . 


Bondi  oi  I  he  Intei  oal  debt 
Bonds   of   t ho   u:ii  .  ol    1 1"' 

Pacific  and  the  icre  

Bonds  of  the  Icre  IndemnJ 

I  ion 

state  bond   oi  191 1 
( 'n  toi 

adnana") 


Inter- 

e    I  . 


Ainor- 

t  i/a- 

i  Ion. 


Perct    Perct. 

1 


Total 

ISSUO. 


Total 

amor- 
tized to 
.lime  30, 

I'M" 


Bolivianos    Bolti  i  inos 
5,029,  125     ::,  154,500 

2,378,400        :iiil,7(Mi 


312,900 
9,943,000 


27,913,725 


19,700 
1,048,660 


Balance  on 

Jlllj    1.  1919. 


Bolivianos. 
1,574,925 

2,073,700 

263,200 
9,343,000 

6,201,340 


. 


Bonds  to 
issue. 


1,080,311 

51,  i  Jo 

126,  t-'.l 
;.7,(xki 


1,315, 188 


Total 

lU'llt. 


Bolivianos. 

2,125,120 

9,  ino.ooo 
6,201,840 


20,771,363 


PUBLIC    FINANCE.  253 

FLOATING    DEBT. 


Character  of  debt. 


Bolivianos. 


Debt  to  national  banks 

Short-time  debts  to  foreign  banks 

Mortgage  loans 

Special  accounts 


4,251,376 

5,280,370 
201,831 
083, 889 

Total 10,477,472 

TOTAL   PUBLIC   DEBT. 


Character  of  debt. 


Bolivianos. 


Foreign. . 
Internal . 

Floating. 


38. 933, 778 
20,771,353 
10,477,472 


Total. 


70, 182, 603 


The  foreign  obligations  of  the  country  represent  a  per  capita 
indebtedness  of  about  $7.50.  In  the  words  of  a  former  minister  of 
finance,  this  debt  is  "wholly  represented  by  works  of  public  utility." 
Of  the  proceeds  of  the  French  loan  of  1910,  £1,000,000  ($4,866,500) 
was  invested  in  the  foundation  of  the  Banco  de  la  Nacion.  Prac- 
tically all  of  the  remaining  foreign  debt  was  contracted  for  the 
purpose  of  building  railways.  The  French  loan  of  1913  was  specifi- 
cally destined  to  the  construction  of  the  railway  between  Tupiza  and 
La  Quiaca,  and  the  Chandler  loan  of  1917  to  work  on  the  Yungas 
Railway.  A  former  loan  held  by  the  National  City  Bank  of  New 
York  amounted  in  1916  to  1,274,166  bolivianos  (about  $496,035). 
However,  during  that  year  the  Bolivian  Government  took  advantage 
of  the  favorable  rate  of  exchange  to  transfer  this  debt  to  the  Banco 
de  la  Nacion. 

By  law  of  January  13,  1920,  the  National  Congress  authorized  the 
President  to  secure  foreign  loans  totaling  £8,711,560.  The  proceeds 
were  to  be  destined  to  railway  construction  and  sanitary  works  in 
the  leading  cities.  Negotiations  were  opened  in  the  United  States, 
and  at  the  time  of  the  revolution  in  July,  1920,  arrangements  had 
been  practically  concluded  with  a  New  York  banking  house  for  a 
loan  of  $10,000,000.  The  money  from  this  loan  was  to  be  used  for 
financing  four  different  railway  projects  and  for  refunding  the 
French  loans,  which  the  Bolivian  Government  had  called,  in  order  to 
take  advantage  of  the  favorable  exchange  situation.  .  However, 
negotiations  were  suspended,  as  a  result  of  the  unsettled  political 
state  of  the  country,  before  the  final  contract  had  been  signed 
between  the  bankers  and  the  Bolivian  Government. 

The  financial  record  of  the  Bolivian  Government  has  been  excel- 
lent. Even  in  times  of  great  financial  stringency,  such  as  prevailed 
during  the  early  part  of  the  war,  the  foreign  obligations  of  the  nation 
were  met  promptly,  though  it  required  the  curtailment  of  the  internal 
expenses  of  the  Government  to  do  this.  The  national  leaders  have 
favored  a  vigorous  program  of  public  works,  especially  of  railway 
construction,  and  in  their  anxiety  to  forward  these  projects  may  at 
times  have  placed  too  much  of  a  strain  on  the  national  budget. 
Special  imposts  have  been  created  and  others  have  been  hypothecated 


254 


BOLIVIA:    A    COMMERCIAL    ANI>    INDUSTRIAL    II  ANDI'.oi  >K. 


t<>  meet  the  special  obligations  incurred  in  the  promotion  of  this 
policy,  yel  up  i<>  the  present,  even  in  the  critical  days  after  the 
revolution  of  July,  the  Government  has  paid  the  service  on  its 
foreign  loans  with  scrupulous  correctness.  However,  the  contracting 
of  further  obligations  of  any  magnitude  must  force  the  Government 
to  devise  new  sources  of  revenue,  such  as  a  greatly  increased  tax 
on  land. 

The  Bolivian  Government  had  called  the  outstanding  French  loans 
before  the  revolution,  and  notified  the  Credit  Mobilier  that  it  would 
liquidate  these  obligations  on  October  25,  1920.  On  the  failure  to 
consummate  the  American  loan,  an  arrangement  was  made  with  the 
three  leading  banks  of  the  Republic  for  a  loan  of  11,600,000  bolivi- 
anos with  which  to  meet  the  French  debt. 

DEPARTMENTAL  FINANCES. 

The  budgets  of  the  different  Depart  incuts  of  the  Republic  for  1920 
were  as  follows: 


Department  , 


Chuquisaca. 

La  Paz 

Cochat  amba 

Potosi 

Oruro 

Santa  Cruz.. 


Bolivianos. 

274,790 
2,  199, 196 

508,303 
1,132,149 

210,363 

190,691 


Expendi- 
I  ures. 


Bolivianos. 

274,790 
2,499,196 

508,303 
1,141,519 

210,363 

190,601 


i  departments. 


Tarija 

EI  Beni 

Deficit  fur  lJolosi 

Total 


Revenues. 


Bolivianos. 

164,200 

226,284 

9,370 


".  215,346 


Expendi- 
ture . 


Bolivianos. 
"164,200 
226,284 


5,215.346 


The  total  expenditures  of  the  departmental  treasury  of  La  Paz  in 
1918  amounted  to  5,181,394  bolivianos,  a  large  part  of  which  was 
destined  to  finance  the  work  of  construction  on  the  Yungas  Railway  . 

The  revenues  and  expenditures  of  the  Department  of  La  Paz  for 
1920  were  classified  as  follows: 


REVENUES. 

Ordinary  revenues:  Bolivianos 

Land  tax 201.  L68 

Cadastral  tax 92,  169 

Tax  on  coca 392,  960 

Export  tax  on  hides 40,000 

Others L05,000 

Special  taxes  for  .sanitary  works 560,  000 

Special  revenues  Eor  Yungas  Railway L,  107,  600 

Total 2,  19 

i  \  PI  \  DITCHES. 

Government  or  administration it  I.  son 

Treasury 352,  516 

Public  instruction 36,960 

Justice               23,120 

Worship 39,  960 

( lharity  and  public  benefit U7,  720 

Public  Works  and  mads U,  540 

Permanent  assignments  of  revenues 65,  800 

Eventual  assignments  of  revenues 62,  I  so 

Yungas  Railway 1.  107,600 

Sanitary  work* 560,000 

Total 2.  499,  L96 


PUBLIC   FINANCE.  255 

This  budget  is  fairly  representative  of  those  of  the  other  Depart- 
ments. There  is  a  tax  on  indirect  inheritances  in  all  the  Departments, 
and  in  the  principal  stock-raising  Departments,  such  as  Santa  Cruz 
and  Chuquisaca,  there  are  export  duties  on  cattle  and  hides. 

MUNICIPAL  FINANCES. 

The  distinctly  municipal  finances  are  separated  from  those  of  the 
national  and  departmental  governments,  though  special  appropria- 
tions are  sometimes  made  by  such  governments  for  specifically  mu- 
nicipal needs.  The  budget  tor  the  city  of  La  Paz  for  the  fiscal  year 
1920  provided  for  the  spending  of  1,742,717  bolivianos.  Of  this  sum 
1,108,863  bolivianos  was  for  general  administrative  purposes,  487,384 
bolivianos  for  the  construction  of  the  public  hospitals  in  Mirafiores, 
and  146,370  bolivianos  for  public  instruction.  Among  the  sources 
of  municipal  revenues  in  La  Paz  are  the  following:  Rent  of  property 
belonging  to  the  city,  tax  on  beer,  police  fines,  commercial  patents 
and  taxes,  tax  on  coca,  sales  of  niches  in  cemetery,  and  water  rates. 
The  municipal  revenues  of  Cochabamba  for  1917  amounted  to  a  total 
of  363,530  bolivianos,  of  which  109,499  bolivianos  were  destined  to 
the  maintenance  of  the  schools  supported  by  the  city.  The  largest 
source  of  revenue  is  that  known  as  "  patentes  municipales,"  or  licenses. 
These  vary  from  1  boliviano  for  permission  for  Indians  to  wear  a  mask 
on  feast  days  to  2,000  bolivianos  for  breweries  of  the  first  class. 

None  of  the  Bolivian  cities  owe  money  abroad.  Some  have  bor- 
rowed sums  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  municipal  improvements, 
but  from  local  banks  or  other  interests.  The  most  important  finan- 
cial developments  in  municipal  circles  at  present  are  in  connection 
with  .the  large  projects  for  sanitary  works,  including  sewage  and  water- 
works, in  La  raz,  Cochabamba,  and  other  cities.  These  projects, 
which  will  involve  the  expenditure  of  large  sums  of  money,  are  in  the 
hands  of  an  American  engineering  firm  and  are  described  elsewhere. 


Appendix:  TRAVEL  NOTES. 
ROUTES  FROM  UNITED  STATES  TO  BOLIVIA. 

VIA  WEST  COAST. 

Bolivia  can  be  reached  from  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  porta  of  the  United  States  by 
several  different  lines,  though,  as  it  is  an  inland  country,  travelers  must  disembark 
at  eithera  Peruvian  or  a  Chilean  port.  There  are  fortnightly  sailings  from  New  York 
by  the  four  steamers  of  the  Grace  Line.  These  steamers  do  not  stop  at  Mollendo  on  the 
wayoul  but  putin  at  A rira and  Antofagasta,  andcallatAntofagastaand  Callaoonlyon 
the  return  voyage.  The  time  from  New  York  to  Arica  is  15  days,  and  to  Antofagasta  2 
da  3  3  Longer.  The  fare  to  Arica  and  Antofagasta  is,  respectively,  $290  and  $325. _  The 
sen  Lee  on  the  vessels  of  this  line  is  very  satisfactory.  A  very  good  6eryice  is  also 
offered  by  the  two  steamers  Ebro  and  Essequibo,  of  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Co. 
During  L920,  through  service  between  Valparaiso  and  New  York  via  Habana  was  in- 
itiated by  the  Companfa  Sud-Americanade  Vapores,  or  Chilean  Line.  A  former  Japa- 
nese steamer,  now  called  the  Renaico,  is  used  in  this  service.  Calls  are  made  at  Mol- 
lendo, Arica,  and  Antofagasta.  Persons  taking  the  ships  of  the  United  Fruit  Co.  from 
\"i  a  York  or  New  Orleans  can  transfer  at  Colon  to  steamers  of  the  Chilean  or  the  Peru- 
vian Lines,  of  which  there  are  frequent  sailings  to  the  principal  westcoast  ports. 
Those  sailing  from  Pacific  coast  ports  of  the  United  States  by  steamers  of  the  Pacific 
Mail  can  also  transfer  at  the  Isthmus. 

There  is  a  choice  of  three  routes  between  the  Pacific  coast  and  La  Paz  and  other 
points  in  Bolivia.  These  start,  respectively,  from  Mollendo,  in  Peru,  and  from  Arica 
and  Antofagasta,  in  Chile.     Each  of  these  lines  has  certain  advantages. 

By  taking  the  Mollendo  Line, those  who  fear  "soroche"  or  mountain  sickness  can 
stop' off  at  Arequipa  (7,550  feet)  long  enough  to  accustom  themselves  to  the  higher 
altitude  before  going  up  to  the  plateau.  Arequipa  is  itself  an  important  market  for 
most  standard  lines  of  goods.  At  Puno,  above  Arequipa,  passengers  are  transferred 
across  Lake  Titicaca  by  comfortable  steamers  to  Guaqui  in  Bolivia. 

The  chief  advantage  of  the  Arica  Line  is  the  short  time  required  to  reach  La  Paz 
by  that  route,  the  ascent  being  especially  rapid  on  the  rack  rail  section  between 
Central  and  l'uquios. 

The  line  from  Antofagasta  crosses  the  barren  nitrate  pampa  and  then  climbs  onto 
tlie  plateau  in  the  vicinity  of  the  frontier  at  Ollague.  Thence  the  route  lies  across  the 
plains  of  Uyuni  and  north  t>y  Oruro  to  La  Paz.  The  great  copper  mining  camp 
of  ( Inuquicamata  lies  a  few  miles  from  Calama,  Chile,  on  a  spur  of  the  railway.  The 
international  express  between  Antofagasta  and  La  Paz  is  one  of  the  best  trains  in  Smith 
A  merica,  tire  quality  of  the  service  being  excellent  in  every  respect.  All  three  lines 
frt  iin  the  coast  offer  fine  scenic  at  t  rad  ions  to  the  traveler. 

(  migrative  details  in  regard  to  the  three  routes  are  given  in  the  table  below.  The 
fares  given  are  subject  to  change  without  notice.  Passenger  rates  are  affected  by  fluc- 
tuations in  exchange  between  the  two  coast  countries  and  Bolivia,  especially  by 
variations  in  the  value  of  the  Chilean  peso. 


1 

[terns.                             Mollendo. 

Arica. 

Antofagasta. 

Distances  between 

One  day  from  Mollendo. 
SIS,  Mollendo  to  Arica.  . 

Two  davs  from  Arii  a. 

i 

|44,     Aiica     i"     Antofa- 

Port 

■J. Dim                    

■  :;  MO,  Molt 
Antofagasta. 

tractor  of  poi  i 
Landing  Facilities 

*  >  i  > « •  1 1  bay,  partly  pro- 
le ted  by  Island. 

t  >pen  roadstead. 

landing  difficult 
in  rough  w eat hei 

Moats. 

Londrea  and  Grand. 

J  way 

Southern    Ry.  ol   Peru 
and    Guaqul-La    Pa 
Ry. 

Pei  n\  [an  1  kn  poration. . . 

Arica-La  Pa    Rj 
i  nllean  I  ."\  eminent 

Antofagasta    6     Bolivia 

Rj 

Antofagasta    &    Bolivia 
Rj    1  o 

TRAVEL   NOTES. 


257 


Items. 


Mollendo. 


Distance  from  La  Paz: 

Miles !  529  (846  kilometers) 

Time- 
Up  i  46  hours  30  minutes 

Down 31  hours  30  minutes 

Side  trips '  Juliaca-Cuzco  (210  miles, 

10  hours). 


Altitude: 

Highest  point '  14.6S7  feet,   at   Crucero 

Alto. 

Other  points j  7,550  feet,  at  Arequipa... 

Fare: 

To  La  Paz |  50.30  soles 

From  La  Paz i  75.70    bolivianos    (75.65 

I      soles  round  trip). 

Berth '  No  sleeping  ears:  berth 

on  steamer  included. 


Meals |  Price     included     with 

ticket. 
Baggage: 

Amount  free I  70  kilos  (155  pounds) 

Charge  for  excess i  Up.  24.35  soles  per  100 

kilos  (220  pounds); 
down,  35  3'! bolivianos 
per  100  kilos. 

Inspection I  Baggage      declared     in 

transit  not  inspected 
at  Mollendo;  all  bag- 
gageinspected  at  Gua- 
qui  or  La  Paz. 
Number  of  trains: 

Up !  Two     (Thursday    and 

Saturday). 
Down « do 


Changes  and  connections. 


Arequipa  (on  up  trip): 
Presio  (train  tosteam- 
erV.  Guaqui  (steamer 
to  train). 


279  (446  kilometers) . 

22  hours  20  minutes 

21  hours 

Arica-Tacna 


13,960  feet,   at   General 
Lagos. 


Antofagasta. 


66.50  pesos  (Chilean) . 
34.90  bolivianos 


To  La  Paz,  18.50  pesos: 
from  La  Paz,  9.40 
bolivianos. 

5  pesos  or  3  bolivianos 
per  meal. 

50  kilos  (110  pounds) 

Up,  32.50  pesos  per  100 
kilos;  down,  16.50  bo- 
livianos per  100  kilos. 

Baggage  in  transit  not 
inspected  at  Arica;  all 
baggage  inspected  at 
La  Paz. 


One  (Monday) . . , 
One  (Thursday). 
None 


727  (1,163  kilometers). 

43  hours. 
38  hours. 
Longitudinal  Ry.  at  Ba- 

quedano,  north  to  Iq  1 1  i- 
queand  1'isagua, south 
to  Santiago;  Calama- 
Chuquicamata  (14 
miles,  1  hour). 

12,979  feet,  at  Ascotan . 

7,400  feet,  at  Calama. 

110.75  pesos  (Chilean). 
67.65  bolivianos. 

To  La  Paz,  34.30  pesos; 

La  Paz  to  Antofagasta, 

16  bolivianos. 
5  pesos  or  3  bolivianos 

per  meal,  table  d'hote. 

50  kilos. 

Up.  56.78  pesos  per  100 
kilos:  down.  36.10  bo- 
livianos per  100  kilos. 

Baggage  in  transit  not 
inspected  at  Antofa- 
gasta ;  hand  baggage  in- 
spected at  frontier, 
rest  at  destination. 

Two   (Tuesday  and 

Saturday). 
Two   (Tuesday   and 

Friday). 
Uyuni  (change  trains). 


Foreigners  entering  Bolivia  must  be  able  to  show  a  passport  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  their  identity  and  nationality.  Such  passports  must  be  viseed  by  the 
Bolivian  consul  in  the  country  of  departure,  and  also  by  the  Bolivian  consular  repre- 
sentative at  Arica,  Antofagasta,  Puno,  La  Quiaca,  or  Corumba,  depending  on  the 
route  by  which  the  traveler  enters  Bolivia.  Bolivian  consuls  in  foreign  countries 
can  require  the  presentation  of  passports  by  foreigners  10  days  before  their  departure 
for  Bolivia,  though  this  is  seldom  required  in  practice.  Foreigners  entering  Bolivia 
are  further  required  to  present  their  passports  to  the  police,  when  arriving  at  their 
destination,  and  to  explain  their  reasons  for  being  in  the  Republic  (as  is  also  required 
by  the  law  in  Peru).  All  these  restrictions,  as  provided  for  in  a  presidential 
decree  of  March  26,  1920,  constitute  a  very  radical  departure  from  Bolivia's  pre- 
vious policy  of  permitting  almost  uninterrupted  entrance  and  egress  to  foreigners. 


VIA  EAST  COAST. 

Persons  desiring  to  reach  eastern  Bolivia  by  way  of  the  Amazon  must  transship  at 
Para  to  the  steamers  of  the  Amazon  River  Steam  Navigation  Co.  The  only  passenger 
steamers  from  the  United  States  that  touch  at  Para  are  those  of  the  Lloyd"  Brasileiro, 
though  vessels  of  the  Booth  Line  from  England  regularly  make  Para  on  their  outer 
voyage  and  some  of  them  ascend  the  river  as  far  as  Manaos.  The  usual  destination 
of  the  up-river  boats  on  the  Amazon  is  Manaos,  though  some  of  them  ply  to  Porto 
Velho,  which  is  on  the  direct  route  into  Bolivia.  In  the  former  case  travelers  are 
compelled  to  reembark  at  Manaos  on  a  steamer  bound  up  the  Madeira  for  Porto  Velho. 
At  San  Antonio,  near  Porto  Velho,  is  the  terminus  of  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railway, 
which  extends  186  miles  to  Guayaramerin.  Passengers  bound  for  Riberalta  cross  the' 
river  at  this  point  and  take  mules  for  then-  destination  on  the  Beni,  about  70  miles 
to  the  west.     Those  bound  for  Trinidad  or  Santa  Cruz  take  launches  for  the  trip  up 

44462  °—21 17 


258        BOLIVIA:   A   COMMERCIAL.  AND   INDUSTRIAL   HANDBOOK. 

the  Ma  more,  and  if  their  destination  is  Santa  Cruz  they  leave  the  steamer  at  Puerto 
Velarde  or  Cuatro  Ojos,  from  which  point  they  reach  Santa  Cruz  by  mule. 

The  Santa  Cruz  region  can  also  be  reached  by  the  railway  connection  across  Brazil 
from  Santos  to  the  Paraguay  River  or  directly  from  Buenos  Aires  by  way  of  the  Parana 
and  Paraguay.  The  former  route  entails  transfers  at  Sao  Paulo  and  Bauru  from  one 
train  to  another  and  at  Porte  Esperanca  from  the  train  to  the  steamer  forCorumba. 
From  Corumba  there  is  a  dailv  launch  service  to  Puerto  Suarez  on  the  Bolivian  ride 
of  the  Laguna  de  Caceres.  At"Puerto  Suarez  persons  desiring  to  travel  into  the  interior 
of  Bolivia  must  engage  mules,  which  are  usually  difficult  to  obtain  at  any  price.  The 
facilities  for  travel  over  this  long  and  difficult  trail  are  described  in  the  chapter  on 
"Transportation  and  communications."  There  are  direct  steamers  between  Buenos 
Aires  and  Corumba  by  the  Mihanovich  Line,  with  a  weekly  schedule  of  sailings.  These 
boats  are  comfortable,  though  the  fare  is  high  and  the  trip  consumes  about  10  days. 

The  Bolivian  Plateau  can  also  be  reached  from  Buenos  Aires  by  way  of  La  Quiaca, 
between  which  two  points  there  are  through  rail  connections,  though  involving  a 
change  of  trains  at  Tucuman  because  of  the  different  gauges  prevailing  north  and 
south  of  that  city.  Between  La  Quiaca  at  the  frontier  and  Atocha,  the  present 
Bolivian  railhead",  there  is  a  gap  of  200  kilometers  (125  miles),  which  must  be  covered 
by  automobile  or  mule,  depending  on  the  season  of  the  year.  Between  Atocha  and 
La  Paz  there  is  a  regular  train  service,  though  with  a  change  of  trains  at  Uyuni.  From 
about  the  middle  of  Mav  to  about  the  middle  of  November  a  regular  automobile  service 
is  maintained  for  the  transportation  cf  passengers  and  their  baggage.  The  company 
that  operates  this  servi  e  owns  10  cars  (most  of  them  of  German  make),  with  a  capacity 
of  60  passengers.  The  fare  for  the  entire  trip  is  70  bolivianos,  and  the  charge  for  excess 
baggage  above  the  very  small  maximum  allowed  each  passenger  is  1 .75  bolivianos  per 
5  kilos.  The  cars  leave  Yillazon,  on  the  Bolivian  side  of  the  herder,  at  1  p.  m.  on 
Tuesdays  and  Fridays,  and  reach  Atocha  at  12.30  p.  m.  the  following  day,  the  passen- 
gers spending  the  night  in  Tupiza,  about  midway  between  the  two  terminals  of  the 
route  La  Quiaca  can  be  reached  from  Buenos  Aires  by  two  different  routes.  The 
shortest  and  most  rapid  route  is  over  the  Central  Argentine.  A  train  leaves  the 
Betiro  station  in  Buenos  Aires  at  6  p.  m.  on  Tuesday  and  arrives  at  Tucuman  at 
7  pm.  the  next  dav.  At  Tucuman  change  is  made  to  the  narrow-gauge  line  of  the 
Central  Norte,  a  State  railway,  by  which  passengers  reach  La  Quiaca  on  Thursday 
evening  at  7.20.  Thus  the  distance  of  1.107  miles  from  Buenos  Aires  is  made  in  a 
little  over  two  days.  The  fare  from  Buenos  Aires  to  La  Quiaca  is  97.70  Argentine 
pesos,  and  the  charge  for  baggage  over  the  50  kilos  allowed  each  passenger  is  4.51 

pesos  for  each  10  kilos.  ,,,.,.,•,,  •     , 

The  other  route  out  of  Buenos  Aires  is  over  the  <  entral  <  ordoba,  a  tram  leaving 
Buenos  Aires  at  0.30  p.  m.  on  Wednesday  and  reaching  La  Quiaca  at  7.30  p.  m.  on 
Saturdav  As  in  the  case  of  the  other  route,  passengers  are  forced  to  change  at  Tucu- 
man to  "the  Central  Norte.  The  distance  over  the  Central  Cordoba  is  L1S5  miles. 
Travelers  going  from  Bolivia  into  Argentina  can  leave  la  Quiaca  over  the  Central 
\  r-.-niine'at  B.30  a.  m.  on  Tuesday,  reaching  Buenos  Aires  at  12. 15  p.  m.  on  Thursday. 
The  train  leaving  1  a  Quiaca  at  the  same  hour  on  Sunday  makes  connections  at  Tucu- 
man with  a  Central  Cordoba  train,  which  arrives  in  Buenos  Aires  at  7.20  a.  m.  on 

Wednesday.  ,       .        ,.  .    ,.  .  . 

For  passengers  from  Buenos  Aires  to  points  in  Bolivia  there  are  two  trains  a  week 
from  W-xha  to  I'vuni.  a  distance  of  56  miles.  These  trains  leave  Atocha  at  1.30  p.  m. 
on  Wednesdays  and  Sundays  and  reach  Fyuni  at  5.35  p.  m.  At  I  yum  connections 
are  made  for  1  a  Paz,  trains  leaving  for  the  north  at  8.10  p.  m.  on  the  same  days  and 
arriving  in  la  Paz  at  2.25  p.  to.  the  following  day.  Trains  leave  1  a  Pa/,  for  the  south 
at  3  30  p  m  on  Tuesdays  and  Fridays,  arriving  at  I'yuni  at  7.  is  the  next  morning. 
[ns  leave  I'yuni  for  Atocha  at  0  a.  to.  on  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays,  reaching 

Let  ween  Atocha  and  La  Paz  is  38.90  bolivianos.     11ms  the  total  fare 
between  Buen<  and  La  Paz  is  about  $80  for  a  distance  ol  about  I 

Bolivia  from  Buenos  Vires  can  make  complete  arrangement 

for  the  through  trip  through  the  Expreso  Villalonga  or  the  Bxpreso  toternaaonaJ, 

both  of  which  haveofficesin  the  Vrg  atine  capital,     villalonga  sells  a  through  ticket. 

I  railway  and  automobile  fare, hotel  charges,  and  I  eiihson  tram,  with  meals, 

for  300  pesos,  or  about  $130.  . 

The  total  time  b  itween  Buenos  Aires  and  La  Paz  for  passengers  using  the  «  antral 

entine  connection  is  L40J  hours.    From  I.a  Paz  to  Buenos  Aires  it  is  141*  hours. 

two  small   "hotels"  at   Atocha.    where  very  poor  accommodations  are 

who  arc  forced  to  pai    the  night  in  this  village.    However, 

,'t  is  ...  a,  rail)   possible  to  Becure  a  night's  lodging  in  a  building  that  belongs  to  the 

[way  company,  or  in  the  sleeping  car  that  lies  here  ovennghl  before  returning  to 


TRAVEL  NOTES.  259 

Uyuni.  During  the  rainy  season  persons  who  attempt  to  cross  between  La  Quiaca 
and  Atocha  are  forced  to  engage  mules  and  a  muleteer  at  either  terminal. 

Those  bound  for  the  Santa  Cruz  region  of  Bolivia  from  Buenos  Aires  must  leave 
the  main  line  of  the  Central  Norte  at  Perico  for  the  railhead  of  the  branch  line  to  the 
northeast  at  Embarcacion.  At  this  point  it  is  necessary  to  engage  pack  animals  for 
the  trip  north  bv  Yacuiba  to  Santa  Cruz.  _ 

Bolivia  can  also  be  reached  from  Buenos  Aires  by  way  of  V  alparaiso.  i  his  requires 
a  trip  by  train  over  the  Transandine  Railway  and  an  ocean  voyage  from  Valparaiso 
to  Antofagasta.  Arrangements  for  passage  can  be  made  through  either  of  the  Buenos 
Aires  express  companies  named  above. 

ACCOMMODATIONS  FOR  TRAVELERS  IN  PRINCD?AL  CITffiS. 

LA  PAZ. 

The  La  Paz  hotel  most  frequented  by  foreigners  is  the  Paris,  which  is  situated  on 
the  central  plaza.  The  rates  are  from  12  to  15  bolivianos  a  day,  American  plan. 
The  rooms  are  attractive,  though  none  have  private  baths  in  connection.  The  food 
is  ample  in  quantitv,  though  not  always  most  appetizing  to  fastidious  travelers.  Elec- 
tric stoves  can  be  secured  at  night  until  10  o'clock  for  an  additional  charge.  Rooms 
can  be  encased  in  advance  from  the  coast  by  wire.  The  Central  is  another  hotel, 
which  is  being  increasinglv  frequented  by  foreigners.  There  are  automobiles  at  the 
railway  station  to  meet  the  trains.  The  fare  from  the  station  is  one  boliviano,  though 
an  additional  charge  is  made  for  the  passenger's  baggage.  Money  can  be  changed  at 
the  banks  or  at  the  shops  of  the  money  changers  on  Calle  Comercio. 

Among  the  side  trips  that  can  be  made  from  La  Paz  are  the  following:  To  Corocoro 
copper  mines,  by  Arica-La  Paz  Railway;  to  Sorata,  by  automobile;  to  Yungas  dis- 
trict, by  Yungas  Railway  and  mules. 

ORUKO. 

The  distance  from  La  Paz  to  Oruro  is  233  kilometers  (145  miles),  which  is  covered  by 
the  International  train  in  less  than  seven  hours.  There  are  seven  trains  a  week 
between  the  two  cities,  five  of  which  are  local,  the  other  two  running  between  La  Paz 
and  Antofagasta.  Two  night  trains,  earning  very  comfortable  sleeping  cars,  were 
put  on  the  Oruro-La  Paz  run  during  1920.  The  total  distance  between  Oruro  and 
Antofagasta  is  930  kilometers  (578  miles).  The  fare  to  Oruro  from  La  Paz  is  17.20 
bolivianos,  and  from  Oruro  to  Antofagasta  66.05  bolivianos. 

The  principal  hotels  in  Oruro  are  the  Eden,  the  Union,  and  the  Quintanal,  all  of 
which  are  situated  on  the  principal  plaza  and  at  some  distance  from  the  station,  from 
which  there  is  a  regular  taxi  service.  Rates  are  from  10  to  12  bolivianos  per  day, 
American  plan.  The  rooms  in  these  hotels  are  quite  satisfactory  according  to  west- 
coast  standards,  though  bathroom  accommodations  are  not  of  the  most  modern.  The 
nights  in  Oruro  are  very  cold,  and  persons  visiting  this  city  should  be  supplied  with 
especially  warm  clothing. 

The  following  side  trips  can  be  made  from  Oruro:  To  Uncia  and  Llallagua,  via 
Machacamarca,  two  trains  a  week  from  Machacamarca  to  mines;  to  Cochabamba,  via 
railway,  four  trains  a  week  each  way. 

COCHABAMBA. 

Cochabamba  is  reached  from  Oruro  over  the  211-kilometer  (131-mile)  branch  of  the 
Bolivia  Railway,  which  was  opened  to  traffic  in  1917.  On  the  descent  from  Oruro  to 
Cochabamba  the  trains  cover  the  distance  in  10  hours,  and  in  the  opposite  direction 
in  12  hours.  Passengers  coming  from  either  Antofagasta  or  La  Paz  formerly  had  to 
spend  a  night  in  Oruro,  leaving  for  Cochabamba  the  following  morning  at  8.30  a.  m., 
but  in  May,  1920,  a  biweekly  night  train  from  La  Paz  was  put  on,  which  enables 
passengers'to  change  directly  at  Oruro  to  the  train  for  Cochabamba.  Also,  whereas 
there  were  formerly  only  two  trains  a  week  into  Cochabamba,  there  are  now  four. 
The  one-way  fare  from  Oruro  is  17.40  bolivianos.  The  cars  on  this  line  are  com- 
fortable, and  the  food  is  good.  The  route,  moreover,  offers  one  of  the  best  scenic 
attractions  in  South  America. 

The  best  hotel  in  Cochabamba  is  the  Majestic,  which  is,  in  fact,  one  of  the  two  best 
hotels  in  Bolivia.  Rates  are  from  10  to  12  bolivianos  a  day.  The  Union  is  the  hotel 
formerly  most  frequented  by  foreign  travelers.  Public  automobiles  are  available  for 
hire,  as  in  all  the  larger  towns  of  Bolivia. 


•260      Bolivia:  a  commercial  and  industrial  handbook. 

The  following  Me  trips  can  be  made  from  Cochabamba:  To  Quillaeollo,  by  eleetric 
train;  to  Sacaha.  by  automobile  (during  dry  season);  to  Punata,  Cliea,  and  Arani, 
by  train  of  the  0.  L.  ^  F.  E.  0.;  to  Totora,  by  automobile  (during  dry  season >;  to 
Sucre,  by  automobile  (during  dry  season  i;  to  Santa  Cruz,  by  train,  automobile,  and 
mule 

POTOSI. 

Potosi  is  connected  with  the  main  railway  system  of  Bolivia  by  a  branch  which 
leaves  the  line  of  the  Antofagasta  &  Bolivia  at  Rio  Mulato — a  place  that  consists  only 
of  B  railway  station  and  a  small  hotel  where  passengers  may  spend  the  night.  It 
10.")  kilometers  (65  miles)  north  of  lyuni  and  ill  kilometers  (274  miles)  south  o 
Pa/..  The  branch  line  to  Potosi  passes  through  some  very  rough  country  and  crosses  the 
divide  at  over  15, #00  feet.  There  are  two  trains  a  week  between  Rio  Mulaio  and 
Potosi.  making  the  trip  in  a  little  less  than  9£  hours. 

SUCRE. 

During  the  dry  season  communications  between  Sucre  and  the  outside  world  ate 
by  means  of  a  regular  automobile  service  from  Potosi,  oi  from  the  railhead  at  Betanzos, 
about  55  kilometers  (34  miles)  out  of  Potosi.  During  the  rainy  season  the  trip  must 
be  made  by  mule.  The  total  distance  between  Potosi  and  Sucre  is  about  171  kilo- 
meters (100  miles).  During  the  dry  season — May  to  December— when  the  automobile 
service  is  maintained,  the  road  is  one  of  the  best  in  Bolivia.  The  automobiles  belong 
to  the  Empresa  de  Automoviles  J.  Moseoso,  which  receives  a  subsidy  from  the 
Bolivian  Government.  Large  American  cars,  carrying  10  passengers  in  addition  to 
the  driver,  are  used.  The  cars  cover  the  distance  between  the  two  places  in  about 
9i  hours.  The  fare  between  Potosi  and  Sucre  is  60  bolivianos,  and  there  is  a  high 
charge  for  baggage.  When  the  cars  operate  from  Betanzos  in  connection  with  the 
passenger  train  from  Potosi,  the  charges  are  about  a  third  less.  The  trip  is  made  t\\  Lc< 
a  week  ea'h  way. 

The  best  hotel  in  Sucre  is  the  Col6n,  which  is  situated  on  the  main  plaza.  Another 
hotel  is  the  Hispano-Americano.  Rates  are  very  cheap  at  both  these  places,  but  the 
accommodations  leave  something  to  be  desired. 

From  about  the  middle  of  May  to  the  middle  of  November  there  is  a  biweekly 
automobile  service  from  Sucre  to  Cochabamba.  This  service  is  described  in  the 
chapter  entitled  "Transportation  and  Communications"  (see'  p.  91). 

SANTA  CRUZ. 

The  different  routes  to  this  isolated  city  of  20,000  people  in  eastern  Bolivia  have 
been  described  in  the  section  referred  to  above.  The  most  practicable  route  is  that 
from  Cochabamba  by  way  of  Totora  and  Samaipata,  though  this  route  also  requires 
some  primitive  traveling  through  very  mountainous  country.  The  best  hotel  in 
Santa  Cruz  is  the  Comercio. 

o 


15 


16 


17 


BOLIVIA 

SCALES 

Statute  Miles,  103  =  1  Urh. 


Kilometers.  ICS  =  1  \anb. 

50  100 


Rand  Mci*»Uj  Popular  Map  o(  Bollvll, 

Copyright  by  Band  McNallj  4  Co. 

Used  lij  Permission 


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